PRINTED FOR FREE DISTRIBUTION 


GUIDE 

FOR 

APPLICANTS FOR CITIZENSHIP 


Compliments of 
WILLIAM F. SCHNEIDER 

COUNTY CLERK 
NEW YORK COUNTY 

1910-1917 



































GUIDE 


FOR 

APPLICANTS FOR CITIZENSHIP 


Compiled by 

C. COWLEY 


Compliments of 

William K Schneider 

COUNTY CLERK FOR NEW YORK COUNTY 

I9I0-I9I7 





TKnt?. 
■ C72 


Copyright, J9J5, by 
C. O^C. COWLEY 


By transfer 
The Ifliita House 





Table of Contents 


Page 

Author’s Note. 4 

Introduction. 5 

Steps to Take. j 

Court Opinion. 12 

Oath of Allegiance. 15 

Certificate of Naturalization. 16 

Donts. 18 

History of the United States (Abridged). 19 

Geography of the United States . 27 

Declaration of Independence. 30 

Constitution of the United States. 35 

Helps to Study of 

Declaration of Independence. 56 

Constitution and Government of the United States. 58 

New York State Government. 64 

County Government.. 67 

City Government.6.8 

Locations of Public Evening Elementary Schools.-V’72 

Locations of Public Library Branches... 76 

Reference and Text Books for Study. 80 

General Information. 81 

Expatriation. 86 

Passports. 89 























AUTHOR’S NOTE 

To those who are living in small communities where public 
night schools are not maintained, or to those who have neither 
the time nor the desire to attend these institutions of learning, 
this little book is commended in the belief that it will aid them to 
get their “CITIZEN PAPERS.” 

It may be carried in the pocket for frequent reference during 
rides or walks to and from work or on Sunday and holiday 
rambles, and at the fireside during the long winter evenings the 
reference and text books may be read, if the library is accessible, 
or the children’s histories and geographies. 

C. O’C. C. 

New York, October 29 , 1915 . 


4 



Introduction 


During my incumbency of the office of County Clerk for New 
York County and Clerk of the New York State Supreme Court 
sitting in and for that County, the experience which has been ac¬ 
quired in the branch of the office which is popularly referred to 
as the NATURALIZATION BUREAU in its dealings with 
more than half a million people has led Mr. Cowley to attempt 
to meet in this volume what is considered to be a long felt want. 
The information has been compiled by him without cost to me, 
upon the sole condition that it be printed at my personal expense 
for free distribution to those who are seeking naturalization 
information. 

To obviate misapprehensions or misunderstandings as to the 
requirements, the United States Government maintains Bureaus, 
under the supervision of Mr. C. O’C Cowley, Chief Naturalization 
Examiner, Suite 713 to 718 , 5 Beekman Street, New York, N. Y., 
(telephone, 2718 Cortland) and at the Post Office Building, Room 
418 , top floor, Washington and Johnson Streets, Brooklyn, N. Y., 
(telephone, 7040 Main) where information and advice may be 
secured FREE. ; ,,, 

The Chief Examiner’s zeal in aiding worthy foreigners tO'^e^ 
come American citizens has been as successful as have been his 
prosecutions of the criminal violators of the naturalization laws 
and of those who have mrlde a living on our foreign born friends 
who have sought naturalization, and inquiries relative to naturali¬ 
zation matters should be addressed to him or to the undersigned, 
and not to societies or persons who are not resting under official 
responsibility. 


5 


To the end that the public’s business with the Naturalization 
Bureau of my office may be facilitated in an intelligent and hon¬ 
est manner, I have put into effect a suggestion which was made 
to me by Mr. Cowley that the attaches of such bureau be se¬ 
lected through the advertising columns of our daily newspapers, 
as per the following copy of advertisement: 

Clerk wanted, between 25 and 40 years of age, who 
has passed Federal, State, or Municipal Civil Service 
examination in typewriting; must be competent, ener¬ 
getic and of unimpeachable character. Highest refer¬ 
ences mandatory. State full particulars, age, examina¬ 
tions passed, and previous employments during past 
five years. $1,300. per annum will be paid to man who 
can fully satisfy these requirements. 

From the answers to the foregoing advertisement, effort has 
been made to select men who meet the requirements called for 
therein, but in order that the object sought to be achieved may 
be attained it is earnestly urged that any instances of misconduct, 
or discourtesy, or abuse practiced upon the public be immediately 
reported to me. 

I also take pleasure in announcing that the Naturalization 
Bureau of the County Clerk’s Office which was formerly located 
on the ground floor of the County Court House has been moved 
to n,iore commodious quarters in the Hall of Records Building 
('Seventh floor—Room 704) where declarations of intention and 
|5ctitions for naturalization may be filed with more celerity than 
has heretofore obtained in this branch of my office. 

Very truly yours, 

WILLIAM F. SCHNEIDER, 

New York, N. Y., October 29, 1915. County Clerk 


6 


Steps to Take 

Declaration of Intention (or first step to become a 
citizen) may be made only by residents of New York County * 
(who have reached the age of 18 years, and at any time after 
their arrival in the United States) in the County Clerk’s Office, 
Hall of Records Building (Seventh floor—Room 704), Chambers 
Street and City Hall Park, Manhattan, on any working day be¬ 
tween nine o’clock in the morning and four o’clock in the after¬ 
noon, and on Saturdays until noon. 

The declarants must appear in person at the County Clerk’s 
Office, as the law does not permit him to receive declarations 
elsewhere or through the mails. It is important that the declarant 
furnish the clerk of court with his true name, and if he has ever 
been known by or used any other name to also advise the clerk 
of such fact. The work of preparing the declaration in the 
County Clerk’s Office will be expedited if the applicant will come 
prepared to correctly answer the following questions: 

Place and date of birth. Height. Weight. 

Place at which he boarded vessel which brought him to the 
United States. 

Name of such vessel and place and date of its arrival in the 
United States. 

Place of last foreign residence. 

* For information concerning locations of naturalization clerks’ offices and courts 
elsewhere in United States (see page 81). 

7 


No other information neerl be prepared by applicants for dec¬ 
laration of intention. 

No witnesses are required. 

The proceeding is very simple, usually taking but a few min¬ 
utes. 

The fee is $1 only, payable to the clerk, and is turned over to 
the Federal Government. 

Any money in excess of this fee of $1 demanded, charged, 
collected, or received, makes the offender liable under a Federal 
statute to imprisonment for not more than two years, or by a 
fine of not more than one thousand dollars, or by both such fine 
and imprisonment, and your co-operation is requested with a 
view to the punishment of such offenders by your reporting 
such violations to the Chief Naturalization Examiner, 5 Beek- 
man Street, New York, N. Y. 

The clerk will furnish you with a copy of your declaration. 
Read it carefully before you leave the County Clerk’s Office and 
satisfy yourself that no mistakes have been made in reducing 
your statements to writing. If any mistake appears call it to the 
clerk’s attention at once. 

Upon your return to your home or business address put your 
declaration in a safe place, as in case it should become lost, de¬ 
stroyed, or stolen, delay will ensue in the issuance of a copy 
until such time as the Government has investigated the circum¬ 
stances surrounding the loss, destruction or theft, strict super¬ 
vision being exercised in all such cases to guard against fraud 
ah'd trafficking. 

The Petition for Naturalization (or second step to be¬ 
come A citizen) may be made* by residents of New York Coun- 
tyf in the County Clerk’s Office, Hall of Records Building 

* For those classes of aliens who are excluded from naturalization see General 
Information (p. 81), paragraphs 2, 3, and 4. ^ 

t For information concerning locations of naturalization clerks’ offices and courts 
elsewhere in United States (see page 81). 

8 



(Seventh floor—Room 704), Chambers Street and City Hall 
Park, Manhattan, on any working day between nine o’clock in 
the morning and four o’clock in the afternoon,—on Saturdays, 
until noon, provided, however. 


AND THIS IS IMPORTANT 

that the declaration of intention,* * which is the basis for the peti¬ 
tion is 

NOT LESS THAN 2 YEARS AND NOT MORE THAN 7 

YEARS OLDf 

and that the applicant has resided continuously in the United 
States for at least five years and in the State of New York for 
at least one year just before such petition is made.* * 

Those arriving in the United States after June 29, 1906, 
however, cannot petition for naturalization until they first secure 
evidence of the date of their arrival in the form of a “Certificate 
of Arrival,” form for which may be secured upon application to 
the County Clerk. 

The petitioner (applicant for citizenship) must appear in per¬ 
son at the County Clerk’s office to file his petition. He must be 
accompanied by at least two witnesses who are citizens of the 
United States, and who have personally known him in the United 
States for more than five years continuously and in the State 
of New York for at least one year, just before the petition is 
filed, and who are prepared to swear to such facts, and also that 

* For those classes of aliens exempt from the requirement of declaring intention see 
General Information (p. 81), paragraphs 5, 9, 10, and 12. 

t Declaration of intention may be used to support a petition on its second anniversary 
and does not expire until the close of business on its seventh anniversary. (Example: 
Declaration made January 1, 1913, may be used on January 1, 1915, and is valid 
until the close of business on January 1, 1920. 

* * For exceptions as to residence requirements see General Information (p. 81); 
paragraph 9 ^ 10> and 11. 


9 



he is of good character, law abiding, and a lover of our country 
and its institutions. 

In case the petitioner has not resided in the State of New 
York for the full period of five years immediately preceding the 
date of his petition, he may establish by the personal appearance 
of two witnesses, both in his petition and at the hearing, the period 
of his residence within the State, provided it has been for more 
than one year, and the remaining portion of his residence within 
the United States may be proved by the depositions of two or 
more witnesses who are citizens of the United States, for which 
purpose the clerk of court will furnish the applicant with a 
printed form at the time he files his application. 

The petitioner must also take with him to the clerk’s office his 
declaration of intention for filing with his petition. 

As in the case of declarants, an applicant for naturalization 
must furnish the clerk of court not only with his full true name, 
but also such other name or names as he may have used or been 
known by at any time. 

The work of preparing the form of petition for naturalization 
in the County Clerk’s office will be expedited if the petitioner will 
first apply at that office for a copy of the official form containing 
questions which he must answer when he appears before the 
clerk with his two witnesses prepared to file his petition. 

The procedure attending the filing of the petition is very simple,, 
usually taking but a half hour at most. 

The fee is $4 only, payable to the clerk, and is turned over to* 
the Federal Government as in the case of the declaration. The 
same penalties apply to persons who accept or demand moneys 
in excess of this amount (see page 9). 

AFTER THE PETITION IS FILED. 

After the petition is accepted by the clerk, the petitioner is 
furnished with a certificate showing such filing with the court 

10 


number of his application printed thereon. This card should 
be retained for reference in case correspondence with the Clerk 
or Chief Examiner is necessary. 

Not less than ninety days after the filing of the petition, during 
which time the Government conducts a very thorough investiga¬ 
tion of the statements theretofore made by the applicants and 
their witnesses, 

THE THIRD AND LAST STEP 

in the process of naturalization, 

THE FINAL HEARING IN OPEN COURT, 

is undertaken when the petitioner and his two witnesses appear 
in person in the New York State Supreme Court sitting in and 
for the County of New York. 


The requirements of the Court cannot better be set forth at 
this point than by quoting in full the opinion of the Honorable 
Eugene A. Philbin, Justice of the Supreme Court, for the State 
of New York, dated July 20, 1915: 

^jexu ^crrk ®^titvvt 

NEW YORK COUNTY 


SPECIAL TERM, PART II 


IN THE MATTER 
OF 

NATURALIZATION PROCEEDINGS 


Present : 

HON. EUGENE 
A. PHILBIN 
Justice. 


THE COURT: 


July 20 , 1915 . 


It is not only essential that the applicant for citizenship should 
fulfill ostensibly the requirements prescribed by the statutes of 
the United States, but he should also be instructed as to their 
true meaning and significance by the authoritative voice of the 
Court upon whom devolves the duty of interpreting said statutes 
and of determining whether the requirements therein specified 
have been met. 

The Court must be satisfied before granting the application 
that the petitioner has, for five years immediately preceding 
the date of his application, resided continuously within the 
United States and has behaved as a man of good moral character, 
attached to the principles of the Constitution of the United States 
and well disposed to the good order and happiness of the same. 
The statement under oath of the petitioner to the foregoing must 

12 





be supported by the testimony of at least two witnesses, citizens 
of the United States. 

That the petitioner must not be a polygamist or person who 
disbelieves in or who is opposed to organized government, or 
who is a member of or affiliated with any organization entertain¬ 
ing and teaching such disbelief in or opposition to organized 
government, or who advocates or teaches the duty, necessity or 
propriety of the unlawful assaulting or killing of any officer or 
officers, either of specific individuals or of officers generally, of 
the Government of the United States, or of any other organized 
government, because of his or their official character. 

That the petitioner can speak the English language, unless 
physically unable. That the petitioner intends to sincerely re¬ 
nounce forever all allegiance to any foreign sovereignty, and 
particularly by name, to the sovereignty of which he is at the 
time a citizen or subject. Not only must a five years’ residence 
be obtained, but the petitioner must file at least two years before 
he applies for citizenship, a declaration of his intention to make 
such application. 

It has not been found possible to prescribe with any degree 
of detail general rules as to the evidence to be submitted, but 
the Court must reach a conclusion upon the circumstances in 
each case. The said five-year and two-year periods are not re¬ 
quired solely to afford a test of the petitioner’s fulfillment of the 
above requirements and his sincerity. They are also intended 
to cause the decision of the applicant to be based upon an ade¬ 
quate knowledge of the Constitution and governmental institu¬ 
tions of the United States, so that when he eventually takes the 
solemn step contemplated a mind fully informed shall reach a 
lasting conclusion. 

If, when after the expiration of said two years following his 
declaration of intention, the petitioner presents himself to the 
Court with little or no evidence of any substantial attempt to 

13 


qualify as a citizen by becoming reasonably familiar with the 
forms of government and the language, the sincerity of his inten¬ 
tion to renounce allegiance to his native country and assume 
allegiance to the United States may well be questioned. The 
motive for the application in such circumstances may be based 
solely upon some exigency relating to the petitioner’s inability 
to advance himself financially or otherwise and wholly unrelated 
to any patriotic feeling toward the United States. 

The renunciation of allegiance to the country of which he is a 
citizen must be complete and final, and without any reservation 
whatsoever. There can be no divided allegiance. The natural 
love for the traditions of the land of his birth must always be 
cherished as a sacred thing, but it should be a thing separate and 
distinct from his pride in and devotion to his adopted country. 
He must become in the fullest sense an unqualified American, 
ready to sacrifice everything in the discharge of the duty de¬ 
manded by an uncompromising loyalty. It should be assured that 
there never at any time will be room for doubt in the minds of 
his fellow citizens as to his attitude of entire support of the gov¬ 
ernment and institutions of the United States, and as to his 
refusal to give its enemies adherence or comfort. The assump¬ 
tion of the new citizenship must involve the intention that an 
indissoluble tie shall be created. 

The proceedings under the statute are of the very greatest im¬ 
portance to those who are already citizens of the United States, as 
the granting of the petition gives the petitioner a voice in the 
making of the laws through his vote and makes him eligible to 
hold public office, privileges which, in most instances, were unob¬ 
tainable by the petitioner in the land of his birth. 

It follows that, before the Court can properly grant the peti¬ 
tion for admission to citizenship, it should be satisfied that there 
is sufficient evidence that the true intent of the statute would be 
fulfilled by the granting of the petition. 

14 


And now, if the petitioner can satisfy the Court of his general 
fitness to exercise the rights and duties of American citizenship, 
he is called upon to make the following sivorn declaration: 


OATH OF ALLEGIANCE. 

“I do hereby declare, ON OATH, that I absolutely and en¬ 
tirely renounce and abjure all allegiance and fidelity to any 
foreign prince, potentate, state or sovereignty, and particularly 
to.the.of. of whom I have here¬ 

tofore been a subject; that I will support and defend the Con¬ 
stitution and Laws of the United States of America against 
all enemies, foreign and domestic; and that I will bear true 
faith and allegiance to the same, SO HELP ME GOD.” 


15 





Thereupon, it is made the duty of the clerk of court to issue 
a certificate of naturalization to the newly made citizen in sub¬ 
stantially the following form: 


THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA 

CERTIFICATE OF NATURALIZATION. 

Petition, Volume., Number. 

Description of holder: Age,.; height,.; color,.; 

complexion,.; color of eyes,.; color of hair,.; 

visible distinguishing marks, . Name, age, and place of^ 

residence of wife, ., ., . Names, ages, and 

places of residence of minor children, .. ., 


., ss: (Signature of holder) 

Be it remembered, that at a.term of the.court 

of., held at.on the.day of .. in the 

year of our Lord nineteen hundred and ., ., who 

previous to his (her) naturalization was a citizen or subject of 

., at present residing at number.street,. 

city (town),.State (Territory or District), having applied 

to be admitted a citizen of the United States of America pursuant 
to law, and the court having found that the petitioner had resided 
continuously within the United States for at least five years and 
in this State for one year immediately preceding the date of the 
hearing of his (her) petition, and that said petitioner intends to 
reside permanently in the United States, had in all respects com¬ 
plied with the law in relation thereto, and that .... he was en¬ 
titled to be so admitted, it was thereupon ordered by the said 
court that .... he be admitted as a citizen of the United States 
of America. 

In testimony whereof the seal of said court is hereunto affixed 

on the.day of., in the year of our Lord nineteen 

hundred and.and of our independence the. 

[L. S.] 

(Official character of attestor.) 

16 




























These certificates are engraved on gray safety paper, consecu¬ 
tively numbered, with the seal of the Department of Labor of 
the United States watermarked thereon as safeguards against 
counterfeiting, and forgeries of these certificates are punishable 
by a fine of $10,000.00 or imprisonment for not more than ten 
years, or both. 

The Clerk of Court is not permitted to exact* any additional 
charge for the issuance of this certificate. 


17 


Donts 


Aliens who desire to file naturalization papers or who are 
seeking information relative thereto are advised to carefully per¬ 
use this booklet, in order that they may be warned and on their 
guard against impositions which may be attempted to be practiced 
upon them in BROAD DAYLIGHT. They are cautioned to 
avoid all persons who attempt to thrust their services upon them 
and who have absolutely no official connection with naturalization 
matters. Such persons frequently represent themselves as being 
in a position to expedite and facilitate the proceedings, but such 
claims are false, and those who make them are usually grafters 
who are not above making the wildest misrepresentations in 
order to extort money from their victims. 

Declarants and petitioners are warned not to attempt to “get 
through” by making any false statement in their declarations or 
petitions. It should be borne in mind that all of the statements 
made in these documents must be signed and sworn to and a 
singie false material statement is made a felony under the 
Federal Statutes, and the offender may be sentenced to be im-'- 
prisoned for a term of five years and fined in the sum of one 
thousand dollars. 

Petitioners and witnesses are also warned that the laws of the 
United States make it a felony for a witness to swear that he has 
known a petitioner at least five years, unless he has actually 
known the applicant for that length of time. Conviction of this 
offense may result in five years imprisonment and one thousand 
dollars fine for the offender. Incidentally the applicant may 
receive the same punishment for having procured a witness to 
falsely testify for him. 


18 


History of the United States (Abridged) 

Before the year 1492 nothing was known of America. It was 
in this year that Christopher Columbus, an Italian, succeeded in 
interesting the Queen o'' Spain in his theory that the world was 
lound and that if he set sail westward he would reach land. On 
the 12th of October, 1492, he discovered America. He found 
a race of people of a reddish color, wlio lived in the .forests, with 
which the land was covered, and hunted and fished. He called 
them Indians. Columbus was the first white man the Indians 
had seen. After returning home the news of the discovery spread 
through Europe with tales of marvelous wealth of gold and 
precious stones. Italy, Spain, Portugal, France, England, and 
Plolland sent out explorers to claim the land and gather some 
of the wealth of which they had heard. It was not until many 
years after that that people came here to live. Spain made the 
first settlement in 1565 at Saint Augustine in Florida. Some 
years after that some English people crossed the ocean and settled 
in Virginia. Soon at several places along the coast settlements 
sprang up. The Pilgrims, as they are called, to escape religious 
persecution, came to this land and settled in Massachusetts, as 
also, for the same reason, did the settlers of Maryland and of 
Pennsylvania. In 1609 Hendrick Hudson, a Dutch trader, sailed 
into what is now the Harbor of New York and discovered the 
river which is called after him—the Hudson River. On his 
return he told of his discovery, and in 1613 some fur traders 
built houses on Manhattan Island. That was the beginning of 
the City of New York, which is now the largest in America. 

The colonists, as the settlers were called, had a hard time to 
live. Frequently the Indians attacked them. They had to make 
their own houses from the trees that they cut down; they had to 

19 


convert the forests into fields; make their own clothing and 
weapons. They endured all these hardships, for America meant 
much to them. It was only here they enjoyed true liberty. 
As years went by the settlements grew. More people came from 
England, Holland and France, and other European nations. More 
fields were cultivated; schools and churches were built; and the 
people prospered. France and England disputed the ownership 
of a portion of what is now Canada and the western part of this 
country and war resulted, which became known as “The French 
and Indian War” because some of the Indian tribes joined the 
French. England sent over a large army and the colonists 
formed an army to assist. After ten years of warfare, most of 
the battles having been fought along what is now the Canadian 
border, England won and became master of North America. 
The war was very expensive, so the English king levied heavy 
taxes on the colonists. They complained to the king that if they 
were taxed they ought to be represented in Parliament, but the 
king grew angry and more unjust taxes and severe laws were 
enacted. In 1774 men from all the colonies met in Philadelphia 
to decide what to do. This was the first Continental Congress. 
The king would not give in. 

In the spring of 1775 the British general at Boston sent out 
some soldiers to seize some powder and supplies which the col¬ 
onists had collected nearby. Fifty men came together to protect 
their property. The soldiers fired on them, killing eight. This 
was the beginning of the “Revolutionary War.” Soon all the 
colonists collected and prepared to defend their homes and their 
the army. Great armies were sent over from England to subdue 
the colonists. For eight years the war raged. For a long time 
it looked as though the colonists must be defeated, but the won- 
right to liberty. George Washington was appointed the head of 
derful leadership of General Washington showed itself, and the 
British army surrendered at Yorktown, Virginia. There were 

20 


several battles fought around New York City. In Brooklyn 
was fought one of the greatest battles of the war—“The Bat¬ 
tle of Long Island.” In Prospect Park and in other places 
throughout that borough monuments have been erected to com¬ 
memorate this battle. Brooklyn at that time was merely a col¬ 
lection of houses around the Fulton Ferry and a few farms 
farther out. 

Several noted men of the European nations, who were trying 
to secure for their own people the liberty for which the colonists 
were striving, admiring the courage of the people of America 
in warring with a nation as powerful as England, crossed the 
ocean to assist General Washington. Among them were Lafay¬ 
ette, Rochambeau, and De'Grasse, who were Erenchmen; Steu¬ 
ben and De Kalb, Germans; and Pulaski and Kosciusko, Poles. 

During the course of the war representatives of the thirteen 
colonies met several times at Philadelphia. The Continental Con¬ 
gress of 1776 decided that the colonists would no longer con¬ 
sider themselves as belonging to England, but would declare their 
independence. A document containing all the grievances against 
the English king was prepared and it ended by declaring that 
henceforth the colonies were free and independent. (Eor Dec¬ 
laration of Independence in full, see page 30). On July 4, 
1776, the representatives of the colonies signed it amid the cheer¬ 
ing of the people, the ringing of bells, and general rejoicing. 
This was the birthday of the LFnited States. Every year the 
Fourth of July is a holiday so that the people of this country 
may celebrate the nation’s birthday. 

After the close of the war Articles of Confederation were 
entered into by which each of the thirteen original states, Vir¬ 
ginia, New York, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Maine, Mary¬ 
land, Connecticut, Rhode Island, Delaware, Carolina, New Jer¬ 
sey, Pennsylvania, and Georgia, were considered as separate 
nations, but were bound together for their protection against the 

21 


outside nations. The states found after four years that they 
must have a better government than the Articles of Confeder¬ 
ation gave them, so delegates of the states met in Philadelphia 
in 1787 and formed the Constitution of the United States of 
America, which consisted of the plan of government, and con¬ 
tained the highest law of the country, to which every other law 
must give way. The Constitution has lived down to this day 
with but very few changes. It guarantees us our rights and 
liberties, does away with all nobility, and puts every man on an 
equal footing. (See Constitution in full on page 35.) All the 
states ratified and adopted the Constitution. George Washington 
was loved by all the people; it was his generalship that had won 
them their liberty, and in 1789 they unanimously selected him to 
l)e the first president of the United States. They called him the 
“Father of his Country,” and they said of him that he was “First 
in war, first in peace, and first in the hearts of his countrymen.” 

Washington was president from 1789 to 1797. Treaties were 
entered into with other nations; courts were established; money 
was begun to be coined; inventions were patented, and great 
prosperity reigned. In 1796 the first naturalization law was 
passed by Congress, fixing five years as the time a person must 
reside in this country before he can become naturalized, just as 
it is today. John Adams was the next president (1797 to 1801). 
During his administration the capital of the United States was 
moved from Philadelphia to Washington (called after the first 
president) where it has remained since. From 1801 to 1809 
Thomas Jefferson was president. Jefferson saw how rapidly the 
country was growing, with the many people from Europe coming 
to America, and knew that this growth must continue, so pur¬ 
chased from France a large tract of land called “Louisiana,” ex¬ 
tending from the Mississippi River to the Rocky Mountains. 
During James Madison’s administration (1809 to 1817) war 
was had with the Indians and also a second war with England, 

22 


called the “War of 1812.’’ Many battles were fought on the 
water between American and British ships; and also several land 
battles along the Canadian border. James Monroe was president 
from 1817 to 1825. He purchased from Spain what is now the 
State of Florida. Several new states were admitted to the 
Union; and canal and road construction was commenced, as the 
people saw that they were essential for commerce between the 
states. In 1819 the first steamboat crossed the Atlantic Ocean. 
President Monroe promulgated what is known as the “Monroe 
Doctrine,” which in effect notified the nations of the world that 
the United States would keep out of their affairs and that these 
nations must not interfere in the affairs of North and South 
America. During John Quincy Adams’ administration (1825 to 
1829) the first railroad in the United States—only three miles 
long—was built. Andrew Jackson, the next president (1829 to 
1837) was born in the backwoods and educated himself until 
he rose to his high office. Martin Van Buren (1837 to 1841), 
William Henry Harrison (1841)—who died after being in office 
but a month, John Tyler (1841 to 1845), and James K. Polk 
(1845 to 1849) followed. In 1845 Texas was admitted to the 
Union. Mexico claimed Texas, and “The Mexican War” resulted. 
After several battles, all of which were American victories, a 
peace treaty was entered into, whereby the United States gained 
possession of what is now the States of California and New 
Mexico, and also undisputed right to Texas. In 1848 gold was 
discovered in Colorado. Many thousands of people went West 
to prospect and that section of the country grew almost over¬ 
night. Zachary Taylor, the next president, (1849 to 1850) died 
in office, and Millard Fillmore, vice-president, took his place until 
1853. Franklin Pierce was president from 1853 to 1857, and 
James Buchanan, 1857 to 1861. During their administrations 
the slavery question was uppermost in the minds of the people. 
For years in the Southern states negroes were being brought 

23 


from Africa and held as slaves^ In the Northern states the 
people were very much opposed to slavery and wished to have 
it done away with. Therefore, there grew a very bitter feeling 
between the North and South. A very sharply contested polit¬ 
ical campaign resulted in the election as president of Abraham 
Lincoln, an opponent of slavery. The state of South Carolina 
attempted to withdraw from the United States and the great 
“Civil War” was the result. The other Southern states joined 
South Carolina and set up a government called “The Confeder¬ 
ate States of America.” Severe fighting, mostly in the South, 
took place from 1861 until April, 1865, when General Lee, the 
Confederate general, surrendered to General Grant, the com¬ 
mander of the Union army. The war resulted in the preservation 
of the Union and the abolition of slavery. Five days after Lee’s 
surrender President Lincoln, while attending the theatre in 
Washington, was assassinated. Lincoln, born in a log cabin 
in Kentucky of very poor parents, through perseverance and 
self-education, arose to the presidency. His handling of the 
nation’s affairs in the critical times of the war marks him as one 
of the greatest men the country has produced. 

Andrew Johnson (1865 to 1869) followed Lincoln. The recon¬ 
struction of the Southern states was begun, and the Constitu¬ 
tion amended prohibiting slavery and extending to the negroes 
all the rights of citizenship. In 1866 the first cable between 
Europe and the United States was laid. Ulysses S. Grant, who 
commanded the Union army during the Civil- War, was presi¬ 
dent from J869 to 1877. He continued the upbuilding of the 
Southern states. The first railroad to the Pacific coast was com¬ 
pleted and the telephone and electric light invented. The next 
president was Rutherford B. Hayes (1877 to 1881). James A. 
Garfield (1881) was assassinated shortly after his inauguration. 
Chester A. Arthur, who was vice-president, followed (1881 to 
1885). The system of civil service was greatly extended. In 

24 


1883 the Brooklyn Bridge was completed. It was one of the 
greatest engineering feats of the time. Grover Cleveland was 
president fram 1885 to 1889; then Benjamin Harrison (1889 to 
1893) ; and then Grover Cleveland was elected for another term 
(1893 to 1897). In 1885 the Statue of Liberty, a gift of France 
to the United States, was erected in New York Harbor. In 1893 
a severe ‘ panic swept the country, over three hundred banks 
failing. Factories and mills were shut down, and thousands were 
thrown out of employment. William McKinley (1897 to 1901) 
succeeded Cleveland, and immediately called an extra session of 
Congress, which radically amended the tariff or customs laws. 
In 1898 war was declared with Spain, growing out of the blow¬ 
ing up of the United States battleship “Maine” while at anchor 
in Havana Harbor, Cuba, (which then belonged to Spain). The 
war lasted but five months. Most of the battles were fought in 
Cuba and on the sea, practically the entire Spanish fleet being 
destroyed. Porto Rico and the Philippine Islands were taken over 
from Spain on the signing of the peace treaty, and after pay¬ 
ment to Spain of $20,000,000. Cuba became an independent nation. 
While attending the Pan-American Exposition at Buffalo, N. Y., 
President McKinley was murdered by an anarchist. Theodore 
Roosevelt, then vice-president, became president (1901 to 1909). 
After signing treaties with various nations, the Panama Canal 
was commenced. 

William H. Taft (1909 to 1913) followed. Theretofore the 
Constitution provided that United States Senators should be 
elected by the State Legislature of each state. The Constitution 
was amended by providing for the election of Senators by the 
people directly. Woodrow Wilson, who is now president, fol¬ 
lowed Taft. A special session of Congress changed the tariff 
laws very materially. Mexico was in a state of constant internal 
warfare, much to the injury of United States citizens and the 
citizens of European countries who resided in Mexico. Several 

25 


battleships were sent to protect these people. Sailors from the 
ships were fired upon and killed by Mexicans, and immediately 
Vera Cruz was seized. War appeared imminent, but matters 
were adjusted. The Army engineers, after overcoming almost 
insurmountable obstacles, succeeded in completing and opening 
the Panama Canal, to celebrate which an exposition at San 
Francisco, California, was held. The canal shortens by about 
15,000 miles the journey by water between the eastern and west¬ 
ern coasts, and will greatly assist the extension of the nation’s 
trade. 

From Washington’s time to today, as the West and South 
expanded, various states were admitted to the Union, till now 
from the Atlantic Ocean to the Pacific Ocean, and from Canada 
to Mexico, there stretch forty-eight states. 

The glorious history, magnificent growth, and wonderful prog¬ 
ress of this country can in a great measure be attributed to the 
efforts of the millions of people who from year to year have 
come to America in search of, and who have found, liberty, true 
happiness, education, and prosperity. 


26 


Geography of the United States 


The United States of America extends 1600 miles from north 
to south and 2800 miles from east to west. It is bounded on the 
North by the Dominion of Canada; East, Atlantic Ocean; South, 
Gulf of Mexico and Mexico; West, Pacific Ocean. As illustrat¬ 
ing its great area it need only be said that it is considerably more 
than twice as large as Germany, France, Great Britain and Ireland, 
Austria-Hungary, Italy, Spain, Greece, Holland, Belgium, Den¬ 
mark, Sweden, Norway, Portugal, Switzerland, Servia and Bul¬ 
garia combined. 

It is divided into forty-eight States and two Territories, and 
its Capital, Washington, is located in the District of Columbia, 
(between Maryland and Virginia) on the Potomac River. 

The residence of the President is called the White House, and 
Congress and the Supreme Court meet in a building called the 
Capitol. Both of these buildings are located in Washington, 
which city is distant about 225 miles southwest of New York City. 

The following are the forty-eight states, with the capitals and 
largest city in each state: 


New England States 


State 


Capital 

Augusta 

Concord 

Montpelier 

Boston 

Providence 

Hartford 


Largest City 


Maine 

New Hampshire 
Vermont 
Massachusetts 
Rhode Island 
Connecticut 


Portland 


Manchester 

Burlington 

Boston 


Providence 
New Plaven 


New York 
New Jersey 


Middle Atlantic States 

Albany j 

Trenton j 


New York 
Newark 


27 


Pennsylvania 

Harrisburg 

Philadelphia 

Delaware 

Dover 

Wilmington 

Maryland 

Annapolis 

Baltimore 

Virginia 

Richmond 

Richmond 

West Virginia 

Charleston 

Southern States 

Wheeling 

North Carolina 

Raleigh 

Wilmington 

South Carolina 

Columbia 

Charleston 

Georgia 

Atlanta 

Atlanta 

Florida 

Tallahassee 

Jacksonville 

Alabama 

Montgomery 

Birmingham 

Mississippi 

Jackson 

Meridian 

Louisiana 

Baton Rouge 

New Orleans 

Arkansas 

Little Rock 

Little Rock 

Tennessee 

Nashville 

Memphis 

Texas 

Austin 

San Antonio 

Oklahoma 

Oklahoma City 

Oklahoma City 


Central States 


Wisconsin 

Madison 

Milwaukee 

Michigan 

Lansing 

Detroit 

Illinois 

Springfield 

Chicago 

Indiana 

Indianapolis 

Indianapolis 

Ohio 

Columbus 

Cleveland 

Kentucky 

Frankfort 

Louisville 

Missouri 

Jefferson City 

St. Louis 

Kansas 

Topeka 

Kansas City 

Nebraska 

Lincoln 

Omaha 

Iowa 

Des Moines 

Des Moines 

Minnesota 

St. Paul 

Minneapolis 

North Dakota 

Bismark 

Fargo 

South Dakota 

Pierre 

Sioux Falls 


28 



Western States 


California 

Sacramento 

San Francisco 

Nevada 

Carson City 

Reno 

Utah 

Salt Lake City 

Salt Lake City 

Colorado 

Denver 

Denver 

Washington 

Olympia 

Seattle 

Oregon 

Salem 

Portland 

Idaho 

Boise City 

Boise City 

Montana 

Plelena 

Butfe 

Wyoming 

Cheyenne 

Cheyenne 

Arizona 

Phoenix 

Tucson 

New Mexico 

Santa Fe 

Albuquerque 


The two territories are Alaska and Hawaii. 

The possessions of the United States are; Porto Rico, Phillipine 
Islands, Guam Island (largest of the Ladrone Islands), Tituila 
(in Samoan Islands), Wake Island (between Hawaii and Guam), 
The Islands of St. Thomas, St. Croix, and St. John (east of 
Porto Rico). 

The population of the United States and its possessions is 
about one hundred million persons. The population of the State 
of New York—containing more people than any other state— 
according to the 1910 Census is 9,113,279. 

The eight largest cities in the United States with population, 
according to 1910 Census, are 


New York 
Chicago 
Philadelphia 
St. Louis 


4,766,883 

2,185,283 

1,549,008 

687,029 


Boston 

Cleveland 

Baltimore 

Pittsburgh 


670,585 

560,663 

558,483 

533,095 


The capital of New York State is Albany, which is located 
about '150 miles north of New York City. The governor’s 
residence and the State Capitol building, in which the Legislature 
meets to make ^he laws for the State, are situated in Albany. 

29 


The Declaration of Independence 

In Congress, July 4th, 1776. 

THE UNANIMOUS DECLARATION OF THE THIR¬ 
TEEN UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. 

When, in the course of human events, it becomes necessary 
for one people to dissolve the political bands which have con¬ 
nected them with another, and to assume, among the powers of 
the earth, the separate and equal station to which the laws of 
nature and of nature’s God entitle them, a decent respect to the 
opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes 
which impel them to the separation. 

We hold these truths to be self-evident: that all men are cre¬ 
ated equal; that they are endowed, by their creator, with certain 
inalienable rights; that among these are life, liberty, and the 
pursuit of happiness. That to secure these rights, governments 
are-instituted among men, deriving their just powers from the 
consent of the governed; that whenever any form of government 
becomes destructive of these ends, it is the right of the people to 
alter or to abolish it, and to institute a new government, laying 
its foundation on such principles, and organizing its powers in 
such form as to them shall seem most likely to affect their safety 
and happiness. Prudence, indeed, will dictate that governments 
long established should not be changed for light and transient 
causes; and accordingly, all experience hath shown that man¬ 
kind are more disposed to suffer while evils are sufferable, than 
to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are 
accustomed. But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, 
pursuing invariably the same object, evinces a design to reduce 
them under absolute despotism, it is their right, it is their duty 

30 


to throw off such government, and to provide new guards for 
their future security. Such has been the patient sufferance of 
these colonies; and such is now the necessity which constrains 
them to alter their former systems of government. The history 
of the present king of Great Britain is a history of repeated 
injuries and usurpations, all having in direct object the establish¬ 
ment of an absolute tyranny over these states. To prove this, 
let facts be submitted to a candid world. 

He has refused his assent to laws the most wholesome and 
necessary for the public good. 

He has forbidden his governors to pass laws of immediate and 
pressing importance, unless suspended in their operation till his 
assent should be obtained; and when so suspended, he has utterly 
neglected to attend to them. 

He has refused to pass other laws for the accommodation of 
large districts of people, unless those people would relinquish the 
right of representation in the Legislature—a right inestimable 
to them, and formidable to tyrants only. 

He has called together legislative bodies at places unusual, 
uncomfortable, and distant from the repository of their public 
records, for the sole purpose of fatiguing them into compliance 
with his measures. 

He has dissolved representative houses repeatedly for oppos¬ 
ing, with manly firmness, his invasions on the rights of the people. 

He has refused, for a long time after such dissolutions, to 
cause others to be elected; whereby the legislative powers, in¬ 
capable of annihilation, have returned to the people at large for 
their exercise, the state remaining, in the meantime, exposed to 
all the dangers of invasion from without, and convulsions within. 

He has endeavored to prevent the population of these states; 
for that purpose obstructing the laws for naturalization of for¬ 
eigners ; refusing to pass others to encourage their migration 
hither, and raising the conditions of new appropriations of lands. 

31 


He has obstructed the administration of justice, by refusing his 
assent to laws for establishing judiciary powers. 

He has made judges dependent on his will alone, for the tenure 
of their offices, and the amount and payment of their salaries. 

He has erected a multitude of new offices, and sent hither 
swarms of officers to harass our people, and eat out their sub¬ 
stance. 

He has kept among us, in times of peace, standing armies, 
without the consent of our legislatures. 

He has affected to. render the military independent of, and 
superior to, the civil power. 

He has combined with others to subject us to a jurisdiction 
foreign to our Constitution, and unacknowledged by our laws; 
giving his assent to their acts of pretended legislation. 

For quartering large bodies of armed troops among us. 

For protecting them, by mock trial, from punishment for any 
murders which they should commit on the inhabitants of these 
states. 

For cutting off our trade with all parts of the world. 

For imposing taxes on us without our consent. 

For depriving us, in many cases, of the benefits of trial by 
jury. 

For transporting us beyond seas to be tried for pretended 
offenses. 

For abolishing the free system of English laws in a neigh¬ 
boring province, establishing therein an arbitrary government, 
and enlarging its boundaries, so as to render it at once an ex¬ 
ample and fit instrument for introducing the same absolute rule 
into these colonies. 

For taking away our charters, abolishing our most valuable 
laws, and altering, fundamentally, the forms of our government. 

For suspending our own legislatures, and declaring themselves 
invested with power to legislate for us in all cases whatsoever. 

32 


He has abdicated government here by declaring us out of his 
protection, and waging war against us. 

He has plundered our seas, ravaged our coasts,. burnt our 
towns, and destroyed the lives of our people. 

He is at this time transporting large armies of foreign mer¬ 
cenaries to complete the works of death, desolation, and tyranny 
already begun, with circumstances of cruelty and perfidy scarcely 
paralleled in the most barbarous ages, and totally unworthy the 
head of a civilized nation. 

He has constrained our fellow-citizens, taken captive on the 
high seas to bear arms against their country, to become the ex¬ 
ecutioners of their friends and brethren, or to fall themselves 
by their hands. 

He has excited domestic insurrections among us, and has 
endeavored to bring on the inhabitants of our frontiers the merci¬ 
less Indian savages, whose known rule of warfare is an undis¬ 
tinguished destruction of all ages, sexes, and conditions. 

In every stage of these oppressions we have petitioned for 
redress in the most humble terms; our repeated petitions have 
been answered only by repeated injury. A prince whose charac¬ 
ter is thus marked by every act which may define a tyrant is unfit 
to be the ruler of a free people. 

Nor have we been wanting in attentions to our British brethren. 
We have warned them, from time to time, of attempts by their 
legislature to extend an unwarrantable jurisdiction over us. We 
have reminded them of the circumstances of our emigration and 
settlement here. We have appealed to their native justice and 
magnanimity, and we have conjured them by the ties of our 
common kindred to disavow these usurpations, which would 
inevitably interrupt our connections and correspondence. They, 
too, have been deaf to the voice of justice and consanguinity. 
We must, therefore, acquiesce in the necessity which denounces 

33 


our separation, and hold them, as we hold the rest of mankind, 
enemies in war, in peace friends. 

We, therefore, the representatives of the United States of 
America, in General Congress assembled, appealing to the Su¬ 
preme Judge of the world for the rectitude of our intentions, do, 
in the name and by the authority of the good people of these 
colonies, solemnly publish and declare that these United Colonies 
are, and of right ought to be, free and independent States; that 
they are absolved from all allegiance to the British crown, and 
that all political connection between them and the State of Great 
Britain is, and ought to be, totally dissolved; and that, as free 
and independent States, they have full power to levy war, con¬ 
clude peace, contract alliance, establish commerce, and to do all 
other acts and things which independent States may of right 
do. And for the support of this declaration, with a firm reliance 
on the protection of Divine Providence, we mutually pledge to 
each other our lives, our fortunes, and our sacred honor. 

Signed by order and in behalf of the Congress. 


34 


The Constitution 

of the 

United States of America 

We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more 
perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, 
provide for the common defense, promote the general Welfare, 
and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Pos¬ 
terity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the 
United States of America. 

ARTICLE I. 

Section 1. All legislative Powers herein granted shall be 
vested in a Congress of the United States, which shall consist 
of a Senate and House of Representatives. 

Section 2. The House of Representatives shall be composed 
of Members chosen every second Year by the People of the sev¬ 
eral States, and the Electors in each State shall have the Quali¬ 
fications requisite for Electors of the most numerous Branch of 
the State Legislature. 

No Person shall be a Representative who shall not have at¬ 
tained to-the Age of twenty-five Years, and been seven Years a 
Citizen of the United States, and who shall not, when elected, 
be an Inhabitant of that State in which he shall be .chosen. 

[Representatives and direct Taxes shall be apportioned among 
the several States which may be included within this Union, 
according to their respective Numbers, which shall be determined 
by adding to the whole Number of free Persons, including those 
bound to Service for a Term of Years, and excluding Indians 

35 


not taxed, three-fifths of all other Persons]. The actual Enumer¬ 
ation shall be made within three years after the first Meeting 
of the Congress of the United States, and within every subse¬ 
quent Term of ten Years, in such Manner as they shall by Law 
direct. The Number of Representatives shall not exceed one 
for every thirty Thousand, but each State shall have at Least 
one Representative; and until such enumeration shall be made, 
the State of New Hampshire shall be entitled to choose three, 
Massachusetts eight, Rhode Island and Providence Plantations 
one, Connecticut five. New York six. New Jersey four, Pennsyl¬ 
vania eight, Delaware one, Maryland six, Virginia ten, North 
Carolina five. South Carolina five, and Georgia three. 

When vacancies happen in the Representation from any State, 
the Executive Authority thereof shall issue Writs of Election to 
fill such Vacancies. 

The House of Representatives shall choose their Speaker and 
other officers; and shall have the sole Power of Impeachment. 

Section 3. The Senate of the United States shall be composed 
of two Senators from each State, chosen by the Legislature 
thereof, for six Years; and each Senator shall have one Vote. 

Immediately after they shall be assembled in Consequence of 
the first Election, they shall be divided as equally as may be into 
three Classes. The Seats of the Senators of the first Class shall 
be vacated at the Expiration of the second Year, of the second 
Class at the Expiration of the fourth Year, and of the third Class 
at the Expiration of the sixth Year, so that one-third may be 
chosen every second Year; and if Vacancies happen by Resigna¬ 
tion, or otherwise, during the Recess of the Legislature of any 
State, the Executive thereof may make temporary Appointments 
until the next Meeting of the Legislature, which shall then fill 
such Vacancies, 

No Person shall be a Senator who shall not have attained to 

36 


the Age of thirty Years, and been nine Years a Citizen of the 
United States, and who shall not, when elected, be an Inhabitant 
of that State for which he shall be chosen. 

The Vice-President of the United States shall be President 
of the Senate, but shall have no Vote, unless they be equally 
divided. 

The Senate shall choose their other Officers, and also a Presi¬ 
dent pro tempore, in the absence of the Vice-President, or when 
he shall exercise the Office of President of the United States. 

The Senate shall have the sole Power to try all Impeach¬ 
ments. When sitting for that Purpose, they shall be on Oath 
or Affirmation. When the President of the United States is tried, 
the Chief Justice shall preside. And no Person shall be convicted 
without the Concurrence of two-thirds of the Members present. 

Judgment in Cases of Impeachment shall not extend further 
than to removal from Office, and disqualification to hold and 
enjoy any Office of honor. Trust or Profit under the United 
States; but the Party convicted shall nevertheless be liable and 
subject to Indictment, Trial, Judgment and Punishment, accord¬ 
ing to Law. 

Section 4. The Times, Places and Manner of holding Elec¬ 
tions for Senators and Representatives, shall be prescribed in 
each State by the Legislature thereof; but the Congress may at 
any time by Law make or alter such Regulations, except as to 
the Places of Choosing Senators. 

The Congress shall assemble at least once in every Year, and 
such Meeting shall be on the first Monday in December, unless 
they shall by Law appoint a different Day. 

Section 5. Each House shall be the Judge of the Elections, 
Returns and Qualifications of its own members, and a Majority 
of each shall constitute a Quorum to do Business; but a smaller 
Number may adjourn from day to day, and may be authorized 

37 


to compel the Attendance of absent Members, in such Manner, 
and under such Penalties as each House may provide. 

Each House may determine the Rules of its Proceedings, pun¬ 
ish its Members for disorderly Behavior, and, with the Concur¬ 
rence of two-thirds, expel a Member. 

Each House shall keep a Journal of its Proceedings and from 
time to time publish the same,,excepting such Parts as may in 
their Judgment require Secrecy; and the Yeas and Nays of the 
Members of either House on any question shall, at the Desire 
of one-fifth of those Present, be entered on the Journal. 

Neither House, during the Session of Congress, shall, without 
the Consent of the other, adjourn for more than three days, nor 
to any other Place than that in which the two Houses shall be 
sitting. 

Section 6. The Senators and Representatives shall receive a 
Compensation for their Services, to be ascertained by Law, and 
paid out of the Treasury of the United States. They shall in 
all Cases, except Treason, Felony and Breach of the Peace, be 
privileged from Arrest during their Attendance at the Session 
of their respective Houses, and in going to and returning from 
the same; and for any Speech or Debate in either House, they 
shall not be questioned in any other Place. 

No Senator or Representative shall, during the Time for which 
he was elected, be appointed to any civil Office under the Au¬ 
thority of the United States, which shall have been created, or 
the Emoluments whereof shall have been increased during such 
time; and no Person holding any Office under the United States, 
shall be a Member of either House during his Continuance in 
Office. 

Section 7. All Bills for raising Revenue shall originate in 
the House of Representatives; but the Senate may propose or 
concur with Amendments as on other Bills. 

38 


Every Bill which shall have passed the House of Representa¬ 
tives and the Senate, shall, before it becomes a Law, be presented 
to the President of the United States. If he approves he shall 
sign it, but if not he shall return it, with his Objections to that 
House in which it shall have originated, who shall enter the 
Objections at large on their Journal, and proceed to reconsider 
it. If after such Reconsideration two-thirds of that House shall 
agree to pass the Bill, it shall be sent, together with the Objec¬ 
tions, to the other House, by which it shall likewise be reconsid¬ 
ered, and if approved by two-thirds of that House, it shall be¬ 
come a Law. But in all such Cases the Votes of both Houses 
shall be determined by Yeas and Nays, and the Names of the 
Persons voting for and against the Bill shall be entered on the 
Journal of each House respectively. If any Bill shall not be 
returned by the President within ten Days (Sundays excepted) 
after it shall have been presented to him, the Same shall be a 
Law, in like Manner as if he had signed it, unless the Congress 
by their Adjournment prevent its Return, in which Case it shall 
not be a Law. 

Every Order, Resolution, or Vote to which the Concurrence 
of the Senate and House of Representatives may be necessary 
(except on a question of Adjournment) shall be presented to the 
President of the United States; and before the Same shall take 
Effect, shall be approved by him, or being disapproved by him, 
shall be repassed by two-thirds of the Senate and House of Rep¬ 
resentatives, according to the Rules and Limitations prescribed 
in the Case of a Bill. 

Section 8. The Congress shall have Power to lay and collect 
Taxes, Duties, Imposts and Excises, to pay the Debts and pro¬ 
vide for the common Defense and general Welfare of the United 
States; but all Duties, Imposts and Excises shall be uniform 
throughout the United States; 


39 


To borrow money on the credit of the United States; 

To regulate Commerce with foreign Nations, and among the 
several States, and with the Indian Tribes; 

To establish an uniform Rule of Naturalization, and uniform 
Laws on the subjeci of Bankruptcies throughout the United 
States; 

To coin Money, regulate the Value thereof, and of foreign 
Coin, and fix the Standard of Weights and Measures; 

To provide for the Punishment of counterfeiting the Securi¬ 
ties and current Coin of the United States; 

To establish Post Offices and post Roads; 

To promote the Progress of Science and useful Art's, by secur¬ 
ing for limited Times to Authors and Inventors the exclusive 
Right to their respective Writings and Discoveries; 

To constitute Tribunals inferior to the Supreme Court; 

To define and punish Piracies and Felonies committed on the 
high Seas, and Offenses against the Law of Nations; 

To declare War, grant Letters of Marque and Reprisal, and 
make Rules concerning Captures on Land and Water; 

To raise and support Armies, but no Appropriation of Money 
to that Use shall be for a longer Term than two Years; 

To provide and maintain a Navy; 

To make Rules for the Government and Regulation of the 
land and naval Forces; 

To provide for calling forth the Militia to execute the Laws 
of the Union, suppress Insurrections and repel Invasions; 

To provide for organizing, arming, and disciplining the Militia, 
and for governing such Part of them as may be employed in the 
Service of the United States, reserving to the States respectively, 
the Appointment of the Officers, and the Authority of training 
the Militia according to the discipline prescribed by Congress; 
. To exercise exclusive Legislation in all Cases whatsoever, over 
such District (not exceeding ten Miles square as may, by Ces- 

40 


sion of particular States, and the acceptance of Congress, become 
the Seat of the Government of the United States, and to exercise 
like Authority over all Places purchased by the Consent of the 
Legislature of the State in which the Same shall be, for the 
Erection of Forts, Magazines, Arsenals, dock-Yards, and other 
needful Buildings; and 

To make all Laws which shall be necessary and proper for 
carrying into Execution the foregoing Powers, and all other 
Powers vested by this Constitution in the Government of the 
United States, or in any Department or Officer thereof. 

Section 9. The Migration or Importation of such Persons 
as any of the States now existing shall think proper to admit, 
shall not be prohibited by the Congress prior to the Year one 
thousand eight hundred and eight, but a tax or duty may be 
imposed on such Importation, not exceeding ten dollars for each 
Person. 

The privilege of the Writ of Habeas Corpus shall not be sus¬ 
pended, unless when in Cases of Rebellion or Invasion the public 
Safety may require it. 

No Bill of Attainder or ex post facto Law shall be passed. 

No capitation, or other direct. Tax shall be laid, unless in Pro¬ 
portion to the Census or Enumeration herein before directed 
to be taken. 

No Tax or Duty shall be laid on Articles exported from any 
State. 

No Preference shall be given by any Regulation of Commerce 
or Revenue to the Ports of one State over those of another; nor 
shall Vessels bound to, or from, one State, be obliged to enter, 
clear, or pay Duties in another. 

No Money shall be drawn from the Treasury, but in Conse¬ 
quence of Appropriations made by Law; and a regular Statement 

41 


and Account of the Receipts and Expenditures of all public 
Money shall be published from time to time. 

No Title of Nobility shall be granted by the United States; 
and no Person holding any Office of Profit or Trust under them, 
shall, without the Consent of the Congress, accept of any present. 
Emolument, Office, or Title, of any kind whatever, from any 
King, Prince, or foreign State. 

Section 10. No State shall enter into any Treaty, Alliance, or 
Confederation; grant Letters of Marque and Reprisal; coin 
Money; emit Bills of Credit; make any Thing but gold and silver 
Coin a Tender in Payment of Debts; pass any Bill of Attainder, 
ex post facto Law, or Law impairing the Obligation of Contracts, 
or grant any Title of Nobility. 

No State shall, without the Consent of the Congress, lay any 
Imposts or Duties on Imports or Exports, except what may be 
absolutely necessary for executing its inspection Laws; and the 
net Produce of all Duties and Imposts, laid by any State on Im¬ 
ports or Exports, shall be for the Use of the Treasury of the 
United States; and all such Laws shall be subject to the Revision 
and control of the Congress. 

No State shall, without the Consent of Congress, lay any duty 
of Tonnage, keep Troops, or Ships of War in time of Peace, enter 
into any Agreement or Compact with another State, or with a 
foreign Power, or engage in War, unless actually invaded, or in 
such imminent Danger as will not admit of delay. 

ARTICLE II. 

Section 1. The executive Power shall be vested in a President 
of the United States of America. He shall hold his office during 
the Term of four Years, and, together with the Vic^-President, 
chosen for the same Term, be elected, as follows: 

Each State shall appoint, in such Manner as the Legislature 

42 


thereof may direct, a Number of Electors, equal to the whole 
Number of Senators and Representatives to which the State may 
be entitled in the Congress; but no Senator or Representative, 
or Person holding an Office of Trust or Profit under the United 
States, shall be appointed an Elector. 

[The Electors shall meet in their respective States, and vote 
by Ballot for two persons, of whom one at least shall not be an 
Inhabitant of the same State with themselves. And they shall 
make a List of all the Persons voted for, and of the Number of 
Votes for each; which List they shall sign and certify, and trans¬ 
mit sealed to the Seat of Government of the United States, di¬ 
rected to the President of the Senate. The President of the Senate 
shall, in the Presence of the Senate and House of Representa¬ 
tives, open all the Certificates, and the Votes shall then be counted. 
The Person having the greatest Number of Votes shall be the 
President, if such Number be a Majority of the whole Number of 
Electors appointed; and if there be more than one who have such 
Majority, and have an equal Number of Votes, then the House 
of Representatives shall immediately choose by Ballot one of 
them for President; and if no Person have a Majority, then from 
the five highest on the List the said House shall in like Manner 
choose the President. But in choosing the President, the Votes 
shall be taken by States, the Representation from each State 
having one Vote. A quorum for this Purpose shall consist of a 
Member or Members from two-thirds of the States, and a Major¬ 
ity of all the States shall be necessary to a Choice. In every 
Case, after the Choice of the President, the Person having the 
greatest Number of Votes of the Electors shall be the Vice- 
President. But if there should remain two or more who have 
equal Votes, the Senate shall choose from them by Ballot the 
Vice-President.]^ 


43 


1 Superseded by 12th Amendment, p. 52. 



The Congress may determine the Time of choosing the Elec¬ 
tors, and the Day on which they shall give their Votes; which 
Day shall be the same throughout the United States. 

No person except a natural born Citizen, or a Citizen of the 
United States, at the time of the Adoption of this Constitution, 
shall be eligible to the Office of President; neither shall any 
Person be eligible to that Office who shall not have attained to 
the Age of thirty-five Years, and been fourteen Years a Resident 
within the United States. 

In Case of the Removal of the President from Office, or of 
his Death, Resignation, or Inability to discharge the Powers and 
Duties of the said Office, the same shall devolve on the Vice- 
President, and the Congress may by Law provide for the Case 
of Removal, Death, Resignation or Inability, both of the Presi¬ 
dent and Vice-President, declaring what Officer shall then act 
as President, and such Officer shall act accordingly, until the 
Disability be removed, or a President shall be elected. 

The President shall, at stated Times, receive for his Services, 
a Compensation, which shall neither be increased nor diminished 
during the Period for which he shall have been elected, and he 
shall not receive within that Period any other Emolument from 
the United States, or any of them. 

Before he enter on the Execution of his Office, he shall take 
the following Oath or Affirmation: “I do solemnly swear (or 
affirm) that I will faithfully execute the Office of President of 
the United States, and will to the best of my Ability, preserve, 
protect and defend the Constitution of the United States.” 

Section 2. The President shall be Commander in Chief of 
the Army and Navy of the United States, and of the Militia of 
the several States, when called into the actual service of the 
United States; he may require the Opinion in writing, of the 
principal Officer in each of the executive Departments, upon any 

44 


subject relating to the Duties of their respective Offices, and he 
shall have Power to Grant Reprieves and Pardons for Offenses 
against the United States, except in Cases of Impeachment. 

He shall have Power, by and with the Advice and Consent of 
the Senate, to make Treaties, provided two-thirds of the Senators 
present concur; and he shall nominate, and by and with the Ad¬ 
vice and Consent of the Senate, shall appoint Ambassadors, other 
public Ministers and Consuls, Judges of the Supreme Court, and 
all other Officers of the United States, whose Appointments are 
not herein otherwise provided for, and which shall be established 
by Law; but the Congress mayj^y Law vest the Appointment of 
such inferior Officers, as they think proper, in the President alone, 
in the Courts of Law, or in the Heads of Departments. 

The President shall have Power to fill up all Vacancies that 
may happen during the Recess of the Senate, by granting Com¬ 
missions which shall expire at the End of their next Session. 

Section 3. He shall from time to time give to the Congress 
Information of the State of the Union, and recommend to their 
Consideration such Measures as he shall judge necessary and 
expedient; he may, on extraordinary Occasions, convene both 
Houses, or either of them, and in Case of Disagreement between 
them, with Respect to the Time of Adjournment, he may adjourn 
them to such Time as he shall think proper; he shall receive 
Ambassadors and other public Ministers; he shall take Care that 
the Laws be faithfully executed, and shall Commission all the 
Officers of the United States. 

Section 4. The President, Vice-President and all civil officers 
of the United'States, shall be removed from Office on Impeach¬ 
ment for, and Conviction of. Treason, Bribery, or other high 
Crimes and Misdemeanors. 


45 


ARTICLE III. 


Section 1. The judicial Powers of the United States shall be 
vested in one Supreme Court, and in such inferior Courts as the 
Congress may from time to time ordain and establish. The 
Judges, both of the supreme and inferior Courts, shall hold their 
Offices during good Behaviour, and shall, at stated Times, re¬ 
ceive for their Services a Compensation which shall not be dimin¬ 
ished during their Continuance in Office. ^ 

Section 2. The judicial Power shall extend to all Cases, in 
Law and Equity, arising under this Constitution, the Laws of the 
United States, and Treaties made, or which shall be made, under 
their Authority; to all Cases affecting Ambassadors, other public 
Ministers and Consulsto all Cases of admiralty and maritime 
Jurisdiction; to Controversies to which the United States shall 
be a Party; to Controversies between two or more States; be¬ 
tween a State and Citizens of another State; between Citizens of 
different States; between Citizens of the same State claiming 
Lands under Grants of different States, and between a State, or 
the Citizens thereof, and foreign States, Citizens or Subjects. 

In all Cases affecting Ambassadors, other public Ministers and 
Consuls, and those in which a State shall be Party, the Supreme 
Court shall have original Jurisdiction. In all the other Cases 
before mentioned, the Supreme Court shall have appellate Juris¬ 
diction, both as to Law and Fact, with such Exceptions, and 
under such Regulations as the Congress shall make. 

The trial of all Crimes, except in Cases of Impeachment, shall 
be by Jury; and such Trial shall be held in the State where the 
said Crimes shall have been committed; but when not committed 
within any State, the Trial shall be at such Place or Places as the 
Congress may by Law have directed. 

Section 3. Treason against the United States, shall consist 
only in levying War against them, or in adhering to their Ene- 

46 


mies, giving them Aid and Comfort. No Person shall be con¬ 
victed of Treason unless on the Testimony of two Witnesses 
to the same overt Act, or on Confession in open Court. 

The Congress shall have power to declare the Punishment of 
Treason, but no Attainder of Treason shall work Corruption of 
Blood, or Forfeiture except during the Life of the Person at¬ 
tainted. 

ARTICLE IV. 

Section 1. Full Faith and Credit shall be given in each State 
to the public Acts, Records, and Judicial Proceedings of every 
other State. And the Congress may by general Laws prescribe 
the Manner in which such Acts, Records and Proceedings shall 
be proved, and the Effect thereof. 

Section 2. The^Citizens of each State shall be entitled to all 
Privileges and Immunities of Citizens in the several States. 

A Person charged in any State with Treason, Felony, or other 
Crime, who shall flee from Justice, and be found in another State, 
shall on demand of the executive Authority of the State from 
which he fled, be delivered up, to be removed to the State having 
Jurisdiction of the Crime. 

No Person held to Service or Labour in one State, under the 
Laws thereof, escaping into another, shall, in Consequence of any 
Law or Regulation therein, be discharged from such Service or 
Labour, but shall be delivered up on Claim of the Party to whom 
such Service or Labour may be due. 

Section 3. New States may be admitted by the Congress into 
this Union; but no new State shall be formed or erected within 
the Jurisdiction of any other State; nor any State be formed by 
the Junction of two or more States, or parts of States, without 
the Consent of the Legislatures of the States concerned as well 
as of the Congress. 


47 


The Congress shall have Power to dispose of and make all 
needful Rules and Regulations respecting the Territory or other 
Property belonging to the United States; and nothing in this 
Constitution shall be so construed as to Prejudice any Claims 
of the United States or of any particular State. 

Section 4. The United States shall guarantee to every State 
in this Union a Republican Form of Government, and shall pro¬ 
tect each of them against Invasion; and on Application of the 
Legislature, or of the Executive (when the Legislature cannot 
be convened) against domestic Violence. 

ARTICLE v. 

The Congress, whenever two-thirds of both Houses shall deem 
it necessary, shall propose Amendments to this Constitution, or, 
on the Application of the Legislatures of two-thirds of the sev¬ 
eral States, shall call a Convention for proposing Amendments, 
which, in either Case, shall be valid to all intents and Purposes, 
as part of this Constitution, when ratified by the Legislatures 
of three-fourths of the several States, or by Conventions in three- 
fourths thereof, as the one or the other Mode of Ratification 
may be proposed by the Congress; Provided that no Amendment 
which may be made prior to the Year One thousand eight hun¬ 
dred and eight shall in any Manner aflfect the first and fourth 
Clauses in the Ninth Section of the first Article; and that lio 
State, without its Consent, shall be deprived of its equal Suf¬ 
frage in the Senate. 


ARTICLE VI. 

All Debts contracted and Engagements entered into, before the 
Adoption of this Constitution, shall be as valid against the United 
States under this Constitution, as under the Confederation. 

This Constitution, and the Laws of the United States which 

48 


shall be made in Pursuance thereof; and all Treaties made, or 
which shall be made, under the Authority of the United States, 
shall be the supreme Law of the Land; and the Judges in every 
State shall be bound thereby, any Thing in the Constitution or 
Laws of any State to the Contrary notwithstanding. 

The Senators and Representatives before mentioned, and the 
Members of the several State Legislatures, and all executive and 
judicial Officers, both of the United States and of the several 
States, shall be bound by Oath or Affirmation, to support this 
Constitution; but no religious Test shall ever be required as a 
Qualification to any Office or public Trust under the United 
States. 


ARTICLE VII. 

The Ratification of the Conventions of nine States shall be 
sufficient for the Establishment of this Constitution between the 
States so ratifying the Same. 

Done in Convention by the Unanimous Consent of the States 
present the Seventeenth Day of September in the Year of our 
Lord one thousand seven hundred and Eighty seven and of 
the Independence of the United States of America the Twelfth. 
In Witness whereof We have hereunto subscribed our Names. 

Articles in Addition To, and Amendment Of, the Constitu¬ 
tion OF THE United States of America, Proposed by Con¬ 
gress, AND Ratified by the Legislatures of the Several 
States, Pursuant to the Fifth Article of the Original 
Constitution. 


ARTICLE i. 

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of 
religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the 
freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people 

49 


peaceably to assemble, and to petition Government for a redress 
of grievances. 


ARTICLE II. 

A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of 
a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall 
not be infringed. 


ARTICLE III. 

No Soldier shall, in time of peace, be quartered in any house, 
without the consent of the Owner, nor in time of war, but in the 
manner to be prescribed by law. 

ARTICLE IV. 

The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, 
papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, 
shall not be violated, and no Warrants shall issue, but upon 
probable cause, supported by Oath or affirmation, and particularly 
describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to 
be seized. 


ARTICLE V. 

No person shall be held to answer for a capital, or otherwise 
infamous crime, unless on a presentment or indictment of a Grand 
Jury, except in cases arising in the land or naval forces, or in the 
Militia, when in actual service in time of ..War or public danger; 
nor shall any person be subject for the same offence to be twice 
put in jeopardy of life or limb; nor shall be compelled in any 
criminal case to be a witness against himself, nor be deprived 
of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor 
shall private property be taken for public use, without just com¬ 
pensation. 


50 


ARTICLE VI. 


In all criminal prosecutions, the accused shall enjoy the right 
to a speedy and public trial, by an impartial jury of the State 
and district wherein the crime shall have been committed,' which 
district shall have been previously ascertained by law, and to be 
informed of the nature and cause of the accusation; to be con¬ 
fronted with the witnesses against him; to have compulsory proc¬ 
ess for obtaining witnesses in his favor, and to have the Assist¬ 
ance of Counsel for his defence. 

ARTICLE VII. 

In suits at common law, where the value in controversy shall 
exceed twenty dollars, the right of trial by jury shall be pre¬ 
served, and no fact tried by a jury, shall be otherwise re-exam¬ 
ined in any Court of the United States, than according to the 
rules of the common law. 

‘ARTICLE VIII. 

Excessive bail shall not be required, nor excessive fines im- 
posed, nor cruel and unusual punishments inflicted. 

ARTICLE IX. 

The enumeration in the Constitution, of certain rights, shall 
not be construed to deny or disparage others retained by the 
people. 

ARTICLE X. 

The powers not delegated to the United States by the Consti¬ 
tution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the 
States respectively, or to the people. 

ARTICLE XI. 

The Judicial power of the United States shall not be construed 

51 


to extend to any suit in law or in equity, commenced or prose¬ 
cuted against one of the United States by Citizens of another 
State, or by Citizens or Subjects of any Foreign State. . 

ARTICLE XII. 

The Electors shall meet in their respective States and vote 
by ballot for President and Vice-President, one of whom, at least, 
shall not be ah inhabitant of the same State with themselves; they 
shall name in their ballots the person voted for as President, and 
in distinct ballots the person voted for as Vice-President, and 
they shall make distinct lists of all persons voted for as Presi¬ 
dent, and of all persons voted for as Vice-President, and of the 
number of votes for each, which lists they shall sign and certify, 
and transmit sealed to the seat of the government of the United 
States, directed to the President of the Senate;—The President 
of the Senate shall, in presence of the Senate and House of Rep¬ 
resentatives, open all the certificates and the votes shall then be 
counted;—The person having the greatest number of votes for 
President, shall be the President, if such number be a majority 
of the whole number of Electors appointed; and if no person have 
such majority, then from the persons having the highest numbers 
not exceeding three on the list of those voted for as President, 
the House of Representatives shall choose immediately, by ballot, 
the President. But in choosing the President, the votes shall be 
taken by States, the representation from each State having one 
vote; a quorum for this purpose shall consist of a member or 
members from two-thirds of the States, and a majority of all 
the States shall be necessary to a choice. And if the House of 
Representatives shall not choose a President whenever the right 
of choice shall devolve upon them, before the fourth day of 
March next following, then the Vice-President shall act as Presi¬ 
dent, as in the case of the death or other constitutional disability 
of the President.—The person having the greatest number of 

b'Z 


votes as Vice-President, shall be the Vice-President, if such 
number be a majority of the whole number of Electors appointed, 
and if no person have a majority, then from the two highest num- 
/ hers on the list, the Senate shall choose the Vice-President; a 
quorum for the purpose shall consist of two-thirds of the whole 
number of Senators, and a majority of the whole number shall 
be necessary to a choice. But no person constitutionally ineligible 
to the office of President shall be eligible to that of Vice-President 
of the United States. 


ARTICLE XIII. 

Section 1. Neither slavery nor involuntary servitude, except 
as a punishment for crime whereof the party shall have been 
duly convicted, shall exist within the United States, or any place 
subject to their jurisdiction. 

Section 2. Congress shall have power to enforce this article 
by appropriate legislation. 

^ ARTICLE xiv. 

Section 1. All persons born or naturalized in the United 
States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the 
United States and of the State wherein they reside. No State 
shall make or enforce any law which shall abridge the privileges 
or immunities of citizens of the United States; nor shall any 
State deprive any person of life, liberty, or property, without 
due process of law; nor deny to any person within its jurisdiction 
the equal protection of the laws. 

Section 2. Representatives shall be apportioned among the 
several States according to their respective numbers, counting 
the whole number of persons in each State, excluding Indians 
not taxed. But when the right to vote at any election for the 
choice of electors for President and Vice-President of the United 

53 


States, Representatives in Congress, the Executive and Judicial 
officers of a State, or the members of the Legislature thereof, is 
denied to any of the male inhabitants of such State, being twenty- 
one years of age, and citizens of the United States, or in any way 
abridged, except for participation in rebellion, or other crime, the 
basis of representation therein shall be reduced in the proportion 
which the number of such male citizens shall bear to the whole 
number of male citizens twenty-one years of age in such State. 

Section 3. No person shall be a Senator or Representative in 
Congress, or elector of President and Vice-President, or hold any 
office, civil or military, under the United States, or under any 
State, who, having previously taken an oath, as a member of Con¬ 
gress, or as an officer of the United States, or as a member of 
any State legislature, or as an executive or judicial officer of any 
State, to support the Constitution of the United States, shall 
have engaged in insurrection or rebellion against the same, or 
given aid or comfort to the enemies thereof. But Congress may 
by a vote of two-thirds of each House, remove such disability. 

Section 4. The validity of the public debt of the United 
States, authorized by law, including debts incurred for payment 
of pensions and bounties for services in suppressing insurrection 
or rebellion, shall not be questioned. . But neither the United 
States nor any State shall assume or pay any debt or obligation 
incurred in aid of insurrection or rebellion against the United 
States, or any claim for the loss or emancipation of any slave; 
but all such debts, obligations and claims shall be held illegal and 
void. 

Section 5. The Congress shall have power to enforce, by ap¬ 
propriate legislation, the provisions of this article. 

ARTICLE XV. 

Section 1. The right of citizens of the United States to vote 

54 


shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or bv any 
State on account of race, color, or previous condition of servi¬ 
tude— 

Section 2. The Congress shall have power to enforce this 
article by appropriate legislation. 

ARTICLE XVI. 

The Congress shall have power to lay and collect taxes on in¬ 
comes, from whatever source derived, without apportionment 
among the several States, and without regard to any census or 
enumeration. 


ARTICLE XVII. 

The Senate of the United States shall be composed of two 
Senators from each State, elected by the people thereof, for six 
years; and each Senator shall have one vote. The electors in 
each State shall have the qualifications requisite for electors of 
the most numerous branch of the State legislatures. 

When vacancies happen in the representation of any State in 
the Senate, the executive authority of such State shall issue writs 
of election to fill such vacancies: Provided, That the legislature 
of any State may empower the executive thereof to make tem¬ 
porary appointments until the people fill the vacancies by election 
as the legislature may direct. 

This amendment shall not be so construed as to affect the 
election or term of any Senator chosen before it becomes valid 
as part of the Constitution. 


55 


Helps to Study 

of 

Declaration of Independence 

1. Prior to the signing of the Declaration of Independence 
the American colonies owed allegiance to the British crown. 

2. The colonies were actuated to declare their independence 
from Great Britian because of the hardships and oppressions 
which the mother country imposed upon them. 

3. The following were some of the injustices which the 
colonies suffered at the hands of Great Britain: 

(a) They were taxed without their consent, and without being 

allowed the privilege of representation. 

(b) They were deprived in many cases of the benefits of 

trial by jury. 

(c) Great Britain claimed the power to legislate for them in 

all cases whatsoever. 

(d) The British King caused the colonists’ towns to be burned 

and their lives destroyed, and waged war against them. 

4. When these oppressions became unbearable, representatives 
of the colonies met at Philadelphia, and on July 4, 1776, they 
signed the Declaration of Independence, which dissolved the 
colonies from all political connection with Great Britain, and 
declared themselves free and independent states. 

5. Great Britain refused to acknowledge the independence of 
the colonies, and the Revolutionary War resulted. The colonies 
were victorious in this war, and then became free and independent 
in fact as well as in name. 


56 


Read and study the purposes for ivhich the Constitution of the 
United States was adopted. 


Preamble 

of the 

Constitution of the United States 

We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more 
perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, 
provide for the common defence, promote the general Wel¬ 
fare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and 
our Posterity, do ordain and establish this CONSTITU¬ 
TION of the United States of America. 


57 


Helps to Study of Constitution and Government of 
United States 

1. When the United States was formed there were only thir¬ 
teen states. Now the Union is compose'd of forty-eight states. 

2. The United States is a republic, which is that form of 
government wherein the people rule and perform the functions 
of government through representatives elected by them. 

3. The people are controlled in their actions and conduct by 
the Constitution of the United States. 

4. The Constitution of the United States is a written docu¬ 
ment, which defines the powers of the Federal Government and 
the limitations of the individual state governments. It is the 
highest or fundamental law, to which all other laws must conform. 

5. Amendments to the Constitution of the United States may 
be made by a' two-thirds’ vote of both houses of Congress and 
after ratification by the State legislatures of three-fourths of the 
States comprising the United States. 

6. The Constitution divides the powers of government into 
three branches: 

(a) Legislative 

(b) Executive 

(c) Judicial 


58 


Legislative or Law Making Branch. 

1. All legislative or law making powers are vested in Congress, 
which meets in Washington, District of Columbia, at least once 
in every year. 

2. Congress consists of a Senate and a House of Represen¬ 
tatives. 

3. The Senate is composed of two Senators from each state 
elected by the people thereof, for six years. 

4. A Senator must be at least thirty years of age, and nine 
years a citizen of the United States, and an inhabitant of the 
state from which he is chosen. 

5. The Senate is presided over by the Vice-President of the 
United States, who has no vote unless it be equally divided. 

6. The House of Representatives is composed of members 
elected by the people in districts for a term of two years. The 
number of Representatives from each State varies according to 
its population. Each State is entitled to at least one Represen¬ 
tative. 

7. A member of the House of Representatives, who is usually 
called a Congressman, must be at least twenty-five years of age, 
and seven years a citizen of the United States, and an inhabitant 
of that state in which he is elected. 

8. The “Speaker” is the presiding officer of the House of 
Representatives, and is chosen by the members thereof. He must 
be a member of that body at the time of his election. 

9. The following are some of the powers conferred on Con¬ 
gress by the Constitution: 

To lay and collect taxes, duties, imposts and excises, to 
59 


pay the debts and provide for the common defense and 
general welfare of the United States. 

To borrow money on the credit of the United States. 

To regulate commerce with foreign nations and among the 
several states. 

To establish an uniform rule of naturalization, and tmiform 
rules of bankruptcy throughout the United States. 

To coin money, regulate the value thereof, and of foreign 
coin, and fix the standard of weights and measures. 

To provide for the punishment of counterfeiting the securi¬ 
ties and current coin of the United States. 

To establish post offices and post roads. 

To provide courts inferior to the Supreme Court. 

To declare war. 

To provide and maintain a Navy. 

Executive Branch. 

1. The executive branch of the government is that branch 
which executes or enforces all laws. 

2. The President is the Chief Executive of the United States. 
He is elected for four years by the people through electors chosen 
from each state. 

3. Electors are persons elected by the voters of each state, and 
the number equals the whole number of Senators and Repre¬ 
sentatives to which each state is entitled in Congress. 

4. The President must be a natural born citizen, and at least 
thirty-five years of age, and fourteen years a resident within the 
United States. 

5. The President is assisted and supported in the performance 

60 


of his duties by the members of his Cabinet which is composed 
of ten members, as follows: 

Secretary of State 
Secretary of Treasury 
Secretary of War 

^ Secretary of Navy 

Attorney General 
Postmaster General 
Secretary of Interior 
Secretary of Agriculture 
Secretary of Commerce 
Secretary of Labor 

6. The President sends or delivers messages to Congress from 
time to time regarding the condition of the country, and recom¬ 
mends to its consideration such measures as in' his judgment are 
necessary and expedient. 

7. A bill passed by Congress must be signed by the President 
before it can become a law, v/ith the two following exceptions: 

(a) If the President disapproves or vetoes a bill and returns 
the same with his objections, and if it is then passed by 
both houses of Congress by a two-thirds vote, it will 
become a law without his signature. 

(b) If the President fails to return a bill to that house in 
which it originated, with his objections, within ten days 
(Sundays excepted) after it has been presented to him, 
the same will become a law^ in like manner as if he had 
signed it. 

8. The President is Commander-in-Chief of the Army and 
Navy of the United States, and has power to grant pardons for 

61 


offenses against the United States, except in cases of impeach¬ 
ment. He has power by and with the consent of the Senate to 
make treaties, provided two-thirds of the Senators present concur, 
and he has power to nominate by and with the consent of the 
Senate: members of his cabinet, ambassadors, other public minis¬ 
ters, consuls, judges of the Supreme Court, etc. 

9. In case of death, resignation, or inability to perform his 
duties, the President is succeeded by the Vice-President, who is 
elected together with him for a term of four years. 

10. The President, Vice-President and all other officers of 
the United States can be removed from office on impeachment 
for and conviction of treason, bribery, or other high crimes and 
misdemeanors. The United States Senate has sole power to try 
all impeachments. 


Judicial Branch. 

1. The judicial power of the United States is vested in one 
Supreme Court and such inferior courts as Congress has ordained 
and established. 

2. Judges of the Supreme Court and inferior courts hold their 
offices during good behavior. 

3. The Judges of the United States Courts interpret and apply 
the laws. If any of the departments of the government exceed 
the limits marked out in the Constitution, the act is irregular and 
void, and the judicial department is entrusted with the function 
of deciding such questions. 

4. ' The Supreme Court is the highest court in the land and 
therefore the final interpreter of the Constitution. 

5. The Supreme Court meets in Washington and is composed 
of a Chief Justice and eight Associate Justices, who are appointed 

62 


by the President by and with the advice and consent of the 
Senate of the United States. 

6. The United States is divided into nine judicial circuits, 
in each of which is located one United States Circuit Court of 
Appeals, and as many district courts as Congress has seen fit to 
establish. 


63 


Helps to Study of New York State Government 


(Note) It is recommended that the reader procure and care¬ 
fully read a copy of the Constitution of the State of New York 
as it is impossible to give here more than a general idea of the 
frame-zoork of the state gvvernment. 

1. The State is one of the forty-eight parts which constitute 
the United States, and is organized with certain powers of self- 
government. 

2. Every State has a written constitution of its own, which is 
the highest law within that state, excepting, of course, the Con¬ 
stitution of the United States. 

3. The State Government is divided into three branches the 


same as the Federal Government. 

(a) 

Legislative 

(b) 

Executive 

(c) 

Judicial 


Legislative or Law Making Branch. 

1. The legislative, or law making, branch for the State of New 
York is called the State Legislature. 

2. The State Legislature consists of a Senate and an Assembly. 

3. The members of the Senate and of the Assembly are elected 
by the people, and their number is dependent upon the popula¬ 
tion, the State being divided into Senatorial and Assembly dis¬ 
tricts. 


64 


4. Senators are elected for two years, and Assemblymen for 
one year. - 

5. The Legislature meets at Albany, the capital city of the 
State of New York. 

6. The power of the State Legislature to make laws is abso¬ 
lute and unlimited, except as restrained by the Constitution of 
the State. The State Legislature cannot, however, enact any 
laws on those subjects which the Constitution of the United 
States expressly delegates to the Congress of the United States. 

Executive Branch. 

1. The Governor is the Chief Executive of the State and is 
elected by the people thereof for a term of two years. 

2. It is the Governor’s duty to see that all laws are faithfully 

enforced. __ 

3. Every bill which shall be passed by the Senate and Assembly 
shall, before it becomes a law, be presented to the Governor. 
If he approves, he shall sign it; but if not, he shall return it with 
his objections to the house in which it shall have originated. If 
after a reconsideration by both the Senate and the Assembly, 
two-thirds of the members of each house shall agree to pass the 
bill, it shall become a law notwithstanding the objections of 
the Governor. 

4. The Governor is the Commander-in-Chief of the naval and 
military forces of the State. 

He has power to convene the Legislature, or the Senate only, 
on extraordinary occasions. 

He communicates by message to the Legislature at every ses¬ 
sion the condition of the State, and recommends such matters 
to it as he shall judge necessary. 

He transacts all necessary business with the officers of govern¬ 
ment, civil and military. 


65 


He has power to grant pardons after convictions for all 
offenses, except treason and cases of impeachment. 

5. The second highest officer in the State is the Lieutenant 
Governor, who presides over the Senate. In case of the im¬ 
peachment of the Governor, or his removal from office, death, 
inability to discharge the powers and duties of the said office, 
resignation, or absence from the State, the powers and duties of 
the office devolve upon the Lieutenant Governor. The Lieutenant 
Governor is elected at the same time and for the same term 
of office as the Governor. 

6. The following is a list of some of the other State officials: 

Attorney General 
Comptroller 
Secretary of State 
Treasurer 

State Engineer and Surveyor 
Judicial Branch. 

1. The judicial branch of the state government comprises the 
various courts, which interpret and apply the law. 

2. The highest court in the state is the Court of Appeals, 
which meets in Albany and consists of a Chief Justice and Asso¬ 
ciate Justices, who are elected for a term of fourteen years. 

The Supreme Court for the State of New York, holds sessions 
in and for each of the various counties in the State. Supreme 
Court Justices are elected by the people for a term of fourteen 
years. 


66 


Helps to Study of County Government 


(Note) It is recommended that the reader consult the Muni¬ 
cipal Year Book of the City of New York, zvhich may be pur¬ 
chased for 15 cents at the Municipal Reference Library, Muni¬ 
cipal Building, Manhattan. 

1. The County is one of the parts into which a State is divided 
for the purpose of local self-government. 

2. New York State is composed of sixty-two counties. 

3. There were nine original counties created November 1, 1683. 
The last county created is the Bronx—on November 5, 1912. 

4. The sheriff is the chief executive officer of the county, and 
is elected by the voters thereof. 

5. Other county officials are: 

County Judges 
District Attorney 
County Clerk 
County Register 


67 



Helps to Study of City Government 


{Note) It is recommended that the reader consult the Muni¬ 
cipal Year Book of the City of Nezv York, which may be pur¬ 
chased for 15 cents at the Municipal Ref erence Library, Muni¬ 
cipal Building, Manhattan. 

1. The City of Greater New York is divided into five 
boroughs: 

Manhattan 

Bronx 

Brooklyn 

Queens 

Richmond 

2. The chief executive officer of the City is the Mayor. 

3. The chief financial officer of the city is the Comptroller. 

4. The Board of Aldermen is the local law making body, and 
its presiding officer is called the President of the Board of Aider- 
men. 

5. The chief executive officer of each borough is the Borough 
President. 

6. All of the above officers are elected by the people for a term 
of four years. 

7. The mayor is supported in the administration of the city’s 

68 


affairs by twenty-nine departments, some of which follow, the 
heads of which are appointed by him. 

Building 

Charities 

Correction 

Docks and Ferries 

Electricity, Gas and Water Supply 

Fire 

Health 

Law 

Parks 

Police 

Public Works 
Street Cleaning 
Taxes and Assessments 


/ 


■ 


69 


Schools, Libraries and Reading References 


There are printed hereunder lists showing the numbers and 
locations of Public Evening Elementary Schools (where instruc¬ 
tion is given to foreigners in English and Civics) and of the 
various branches and stations of the New York City Public 
Libraries, where books on United States History, Elementary 
Civics and Geography may be secured free of charge. In order 
that the reader may be aided in his search for knowledge on 
these subjects, a few of the standard text-books are listed here¬ 
with for reference,. 


Evening Elementary Schools 

Boys between 14 and 16 years of age, legally employed, who 
have not been graduated from an elementary school, must attend 
evening elementary school (unless they are attending day con¬ 
tinuation classes). 

Subjects Taught in Classes for Such Boys. 

English (including reading, spelling, meaning and use of 
words and composition), arithmetic, and other common branches. 

Subjects Taught in Other Classes. 

Reading Arithmetic Bookkeeping Drawing 

Composition ^ Penmanship Stenography Cooking 

Sewing Dressmaking Millinery 

70 


special trade instruction as local conditions require. Special 
classes in preparation for Civil Service examinations for posi¬ 
tion of clerk, policemen, firemen, mail-carriers, etc. (Applicants 
for these classes must give evidence of ability to jmeet require¬ 
ments of Civil Service Commission as to “citizenship, character, 
and condition of health.”) 

Instruction to Foreigners in English and Civics. 

Hours: 8 to 10 P. M. for men and boys; 7 :45 to 9:45 P. M. 
for women and girls, four nights a week, omitting Friday and 
Saturday. 

Pupils between 14 and 16 years of age who are not graduates 
of elementary schools must present employment certificates issued 
by the Board of Health. No person shall be admitted to an 
evening school unless his age or occupation is such as to prevent 
his attending a day high school. 


71 


No. 

2 

8 

16 

22 

25 

32 

40 

43 

49 

58 

65 

70 

77 

79 

83 

103 

109 

147 

160 

No. 

21 


LOCATIONS OF 


Evening Elementary Schools 

Borough of Manhattan 

Men and Boys. 

116 Henry Street 

29 King Street 

208 W. 13th Street 

Stanton and Sheriff Streets 

330 5th Street 

357 W. 35th Street 

310-320 E. 20th Street 

129th Street and Amsterdam Avenue 

237 E. 37th Street 

317 W. 52nd Street 

Eldridge Street, near Hester Street 

207 E. 75th Street 

86th Street and 1st Avenue 

38 1st Street 

216 E. noth Street 

119th Street and Madison Avenue 

99th Street, near 3rd Avenue 

Henry and Gouverneur Streets 

Rivingston and Suffolk Streets 

Men and Boys, Women and Girls. 
Location. 

Mott Street, near Spring Street 
72 


29 Albany, Washington and Carlisle Streets 
67 120 W. 46th Street 
89 Lenox Avenue, 134th and 135th Streets 
114 Oak, Oliver and James Streets 

Women and Girls. 

No. ' Location. 

4 203 Rivington Street 

13 239 E. Houston Street 

14 225 E. 27th Street 
17 335 W. 47th Street 
19 344 E. 14th Street 

38 Clark, Dominick and Broome Streets 
42 Hester, Orchard and Ludlow Streets 
45 225 W. 24th Street 
59 226 E. 57th Street 

71 188 7th Street 

72 Lexington Avenue and 105th Street 

92 Broome and Ridge Streets 

93 Amsterdam Avenue and 93rd Street 
96 Avenue A and 81st Street 

157 St. TSIicholas Avenue and 127th Street 
177 Market and Monroe Streets 

Borough of the Bronx 

Men and Boys. 

No. Location. 

3 157th Street and Courtlandt Avenue 

Men and Boys, Women and Girls. 

No. Location. 

12 Overing Street and Benson Avenue, Westchester 

73 


34 Amethyst and Victor Streets, Van Nest 

42 Washington and Wendover Avenues 

43 Brown Place, 135th and 136th Streets 

45 189 W. and Hoffman Streets and Lorillard Place 

Women and Girls. 

No. . Location. 

10 Eagle Avenue and 163rd Street 

Borough of Brooklyn 

Men and Boys. 

No. Location. 

13 Degraw, near Hicks Street 
17 Driggs Avenue, corner N. 5th Street 
43 Boerum Street, near Manhattan Avenue 
45 Lafayette, near Classon Avenue 
84 Glenmore and Stone Avenues and Watkins Street 
106 Putnam and Hamburg Avenues 
109 Dumont Avenue, Powell and Sackman Streets 
145 Central Avenue and Noll Street 

Men and Boys, Women and Girls. 

No. Location. 

5 Tillary, Bridge and Lawrence Streets 
40 15th Street, near 4th Avenue 
92 Rogers Avenue and Robinson Street 
112 15th Avenue and 71st Street 
120 Barren Island 

126 Meserole Avenue, between Lorimer and Guernsey Streets 

136 4th Avenue, 40th and 41st Streets 

144 Howard Avenue, Prospect Place and St. Marks Avenue 

74 


148 Ellery and Hopkins Streets, near Delmonico Place 
156 Sutter Avenue, Barrett and Grafton Streets 
158 Belmont Avenue, Ashford and Warwick Streets 
164 14th Avenue, 42nd and 43rd Streets 

IVomen and Girls 

No. Location. 

15 3rd Avenue and Schermerhorn Street 
18 Maujer, near Leonard Street 
26 Quincy Street, near Ralph Avenue 
58 DeGraw Street, near Smith Street 
123 Irving and Willoughby Avenues and Suydam Street 
141 Leonard, McKibbin and Boerum Streets 
150 Christopher Avenue and Sackman Street 


Borough of Queens 

Men and Boys, Women and Girls. 

No. Location. 

6 Steinway Avenue, near Jamaica Avenue, Long Island City 
14 Chicago and Grove Streets, Elmhurst 
20 Sanford Avenue and Union Street, Flushing 
27 13th Street and 1st Avenue, College Point 
39 State Street and Roanoke Avenue, Far Rockaway 
47 Hillside and Union Avenues, Jamaica 
58 Walker and Grafton Avenues, Woodhaven 
83 Vernon Avenue, bet. Pierce and Graham Avenues, L. 1. C. 
86 Old Flushing Road, near Grand Street, Maspeth 
88 Elm Avenue and Fresh Pond Road, Ridgewood Heights 
90 Washington Avenue, near Jamaica Avenue, Richmond Hill 


75 


Borough of Richmond 

Men and Boys, Women and Girls. 


No. 

14 

20 


Broad and Brook Streets, Stapleton 
Heberton Avenue, Port Richmond 


Location. 


List of Branch Libraries i 

Manhattan: 


Chatham Square,* 33 E. Broadway 
Seward Park,* 192 E. Broadway 
Rivington Street,* 61. 

Hamilton Fish Park,* 388 E. Houston Street 

Hudson Park,* 66 Leroy Street 

Bond Street, 49, near the Bowery 

Ottendorfer, 135 Second Avenue, near 8th Street 

Tompkins Square,* 331 E. 10th Street 

Jackson Square,* 251 W. 13th Street 

Epiphany,* 228 E. 23rd Street 

Muhlenberg,* 209 W. 23rd Street 

St. Gabriel’s Park,* 303 E. 36th Street 

40th Street,* 457 West 

Central Circulation, 42nd Street and 5th Avenue 

Cathedral, 123 E. 50th Street 

Columbus,* 742 10th Avenue, near 51st Street 

58th Street,* 121 East 

67th Street,* 328 East 

Riverside,* 190 Amsterdam Avenue, near 69th Street 
Webster,* 1465 Avenue A, near 78th Street 


t The arrangement of branches is from south to north in Manhattan and the 
Bronx. 

* Occupying Carnegie Buildings. . 


7G 



Yorkville,* 222 E. 79th Street 

St. Agnes,* 444 Amsterdam Avenue, near 81st Street 

96th Street,* 112 East 

Bloomingdale, 206 W. 100th Street 

Aguilar,* 174 E.JlOth Street 

115th Street,* 203 West 

Harlem Library,* 9 W. 124th Street 

125th Street,* 224 East 

George Bruce, 78 Manhattan Street 

135th Street,* 103 West 

Hamilton Grange,* 503 W. 145th Street 

Washington Heights,* 1000 St. Nicholas Ave., cor. of 160th St. 
Fort Washington,* 535 W. 179th Street 
The Bronx. 

Mott Haven,* 321 E. 140th Street 

Woodstock,* 759 E. 160th Street 

Melrose,* 910 Morris Avenue, corner of 162nd Street 

High Bridge,* 78 W. 168th Street 

Morrisania,* 610 E. 169th Street 

Tremont,* 1866 Washington Avenue, corner of 176th Street 
Kingsbridge,* 3041 KingsBridge Avenue, near 230th Street 

Brooklyn 

Albany Heights, 234 Albany Avenue 
Astral, Franklin and India Streets 
Bedford, Franklin Avenue opposite Hancock Street 
Bay Ridge, 2d Avenue and 73d Street 
Brownsville, Glenmore Avenue and Watkins Street 
Borough Park, 1325 56th Street 
Bushwick, Bushwick Avenue and Seigel Street 
Carroll Park, Clinton and Union Streets 

* Occupying Carnegie Buildings. 


77 


City Park, St. Edwards Street and Auburn Place 

De Kalb, De Kalb and Bushwick Avenues 

East, Arlington Ave., bet. Warwick and Ashford Streets 

Flatbush, Linden Avenue near Flatbush Avenue 

Ft. Hamilton, 4th Avenue and 95th Street 

Greenpoint, Norman Avenue and Leonard Street 

Kensington, 771 Gravesend Avenue 

Leonard, Leonard and Devoe Streets 

Macon, Lewis Avenue and Macon Street 

Montague, 197 Montague Street 

New Utrecht, 20th Avenue and 86th Street 

Pacific, 4th Avenue and Pacific Street 

Prospect, 6th Avenue and 9th Street 

Ridgewood, 496 Knickerbocker Avenue 

Saratoga, Hopkinson Avenue and Macon Street 

Schermerhorn, 198 Livingston Street 

South, 4th Avenue and 51st Street 

Tompkins Park, Tompkins Park bet. Marcy and Tompkins .\ves. 

Williamsburgh, Division and Marcy Avenues 

Winthrop, North Henry Street and Engert Avenue 

Concord Station, Concord and Jay Streets 

Kings Highway Station, 1508 Kings Highway 

Sheepshead Bay, 1657 Sheepshead Bay Road 

Dept. Traveling Libraries, 100 Herkimer Street 

Eastern Parkway, Eastern Parkway corner Schenectady Ayenue 

Brownsville Children’s, Stone and Dumont Avenues 

Richmond. , 

St. George, 5 Central Avenue, Tompkinsville P. O. 

Port Richmond, 75 Bennett Street 
Stapleton, 132 Canal Street 
Tottenville, 7430 Amboy Road 


78 


Borrowers. —Any person having a home or business address 
in any one of the five boroughs of the City of New York is 
entitled to the privileges of The New York Public Library. Bor¬ 
rowers’ cards are issued upon application at any branch in accord¬ 
ance with the regulations of the Library. 

Privileges of Borrowers. —Adults may borrow at one time 
four volumes (on^ one of which shall be fiction) and a current 
magazine. Books may be retained either two weeks or one week. 
Any two-week book may be renewed once for an additional two 
weeks if application is made. 

Vacation Reading. —During the summer eight books may be 
taken at one time for vacation reading. They must be returned 
by October 1. 

Catalogue.— A catalogue of all the books in the department 
is open to the public on week days from 9 a. m. to 5 p. m. in 
room 100, Central Building. 


79 


References to Text Books 


History 

Anderson—Junior Class History of the United States. 
Eggleston—New Century History of the United States. 
Gorton—Elementary History of the United States. . 

Hart—Essentials of American History. 

Mace—School History of the United States. 

Montgomery—Leading Facts of American History (Revised). 

Civics 

Boynton—Actual Government of New York. 

Boynton—School Civics. 

Garner—Government of the United States. 

Hoxie—Civics for New York State. 

Shimmell—Government of the United States. 

Young—Government Class Book (New York Edition). 

Geography 

-Natural Introductory Geography. 

Dodge—Elementary Geography. 

Dodge—Advanced Geography. 

Frye—First Book in Geography. 

Frye—Leading Facts of Geography (New York Edition). 
Maury—New Elements of Geography. 


80 



General Information 


1. Courts exercising naturalization jurisdiction can accept 
declarations of intention and petitions for naturalization from 
such aliens only as reside within their jurisdiction. Aliens re¬ 
siding in New York County must file all naturalization papers in 
either the Supreme Court or United States District Court in 
Manhattan. 

Residents of Bronx County may make their declarations and 
petitions in office of County Clerk for Bronx County, 161st Street 
and 3rd Avenue, New York. 

Residents of Kings County (including Brooklyn) may make 
their declarations and petitions in office of County Clerk for 
Kings County, Room 7, Hall of Records Building, Brooklyn, 

N. Y. 

Residents of Nassau, Queens, Richmond, Suffolk, Westchester, 
and other counties in New York State may make their declara¬ 
tions and petitions in the offices of the County Clerk in the county 
in which they reside. 

Residents of Brooklyn, Long Island and Staten Island may 
also make their declarations and petitions in United States Dis¬ 
trict Court Clerk’s office, top floor. Postoffice Building, Wash¬ 
ington & Johnson Streets, Brooklyn, N. Y., and residents of 
Bronx, New York, Westchester and other counties in the South¬ 
ern District of New York, may make their declarations and 
petitions in United States District Court Clerk’s office, top floor, 
Postoffice Building, Park Row and Broadway, New York. 

Residents of Bayonne, Hoboken, Jersey City and other Hud- 

81 


son County, New Jersey points, may make their declarations and 
petitions at County Clerk’s office, Newark Avenue, Jersey City, 
or at United States District Court Clerk’s office. Postoffice Build¬ 
ing, Newark, N. J. 

2. Only free white persons and those of African nativity or 
African descent may be naturalized. Chinese, Japanese, Malays, 
etc., are therefore excluded from naturalization. 

3. ANARCHISTS, CRIMINALS, ILLITERATES, PO¬ 
LYGAMISTS, and those who cannot prove good moral character 
for five years are also excluded from the privileges of naturaliza¬ 
tion, as well as those who are disbelievers in or opposed to or¬ 
ganized government or members of or affiliated with any organ¬ 
ization or body of persons teaching disbelief in organized govern¬ 
ment, and those who are not attached to the principles of the 
Constitution of the United States and well disposed to the good 
order and happiness of the ^ame. Nor can believers in the prac¬ 
tice of polygamy be naturalized. 

4. Every applicant for citizenship must speak the English 
language (unless physically unable to do so) and sign his petition 
in his own handwriting. 

5. When an alien who has declared his intention to become 
a citizen dies before he is actually naturalized, his widow and 
such of his children as were under twenty-one years of age at 
the time of his death, may be naturalized without making a 
declaration of intention. 

6. In no case may an applicant be admitted to citizenship until 
at least ninety days have elapsed after the filing of his petition. 
The only exception is in cases where certain naval service has 
been rendered by the applicant. 

7. Final hearings on petitions, for naturalization may not be 
held in any court within thirty days preceding the holding of any 
general election within the territorial jurisdiction of that court. 

82 


8. A naturalized citizen may not vote at any election in the 
State of New York, unless he was actually admitted to citizen¬ 
ship at least ninety days before such election. 

9. Any alien who has served one enlistment of not less than 
four years in the United States Navy or Marine Corps, or who 
has completed four years in the Revenue Cutter Service or naval 
auxiliary service and who has received an honorable discharge 
or an ordinary discharge, with recommendation for reenlistment, 
may be admitted to citizenship upon his petition, without any 
previous declaration of intention, and without proof of residence 
on shore. The court will accept the discharge as proof of good 
moral character, and may naturalize him immediately. 

10. Any alien who has been honorably discharged from the 
United States Army may petition for naturalization without 
any previous declaration of intention. He will not be required 
to prove more than one year’s residence within the United States, 

11. Any alien seaman, who, after having declared his intention, 
serves three years on board of a merchant vessel of the United 
States, may petition for naturalization upon production of his 
certificate of discharge and good conduct during that time, 
thereby relieving him from proof of any further residence. 

12. By act of June 25, 1910, any person who on May 1, 1905, 
was an inhabitant for five years and qualified to become a citizen 
of the United States and who for the five years preceding May 1, 
1910, had resided in the United States constantly, and who, be¬ 
cause of fyiisififOTfHdtioH in regard to his citizenship, had in good 
faith actually exercised the rights or duties of a citizen of the 
United States because of wrongful information and belief, may, 
upon proof of these facts satisfactory to a court having jurisdic¬ 
tion to naturalize aliens, petition for naturalization without filing 

83 


the required declaration of intention upon compliance with the 
other requirements of the law. 

V 13. All the applicable provisions of the naturalization laws of 
the United States shall apply to and be held to authorize the 
admission to citizenship of all persons not citizens who owe 
permanent allegiance to the United States, and who may become 
residents of any State or organized Territory of the United 
States, with the following modifications: The applicant shall 
not be required to renounce allegiance to any foreign sovereignty; 
he shall make his declaration of intention to become a citizen of 
the United States at least two years prior to his admission; and 
residence within the jurisdiction of the United States, owing such 
permanent allegiance, shall be regarded as residence within the 
United States within the meaning of the five years’ residence 
clause of the existing law. 

14. For the purpose of naturalization under the laws of the 
United States residence in the Hawaiian Islands prior to June 
14, 1900, shall be deemed equivalent to residence in the United 
States and in the Territory of Hawaii, and the requirement 
of a previous declaration of intention to become a citizen of the 
United States and to renounce former allegiance shall not apply 
to persons who have resided in said islands at least five years 
prior to June 14, 1900; but all other provisions of the laws of the 
United States relating to naturalization shall, so far as applicable, 
apply to persons in the said islands. 

15. All persons who were citizens of the Republic of Hawaii 
on August 12, 1898, are citizens of the United States. 

16. All persons born or naturalized in the United States, and 
subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United 
States and of the State wherein they reside. 

17. The naturalization of an alien naturalizes his wife. 

84 


18. WOMEN may apply for citizensliip, if single, widowed, 
or divorced, provided they are otherwise qualified. The wife of 
an alien cannot be naturalized during the lifetime of her husband. 
Her nationality follows that of her husband. 

19. Any American woman who marries a foreigner loses her 
American citizenship, and takes the nationality of her husband. 
At the termination of the marital relation she may resume her 
American citizenship. 

20. The children of aliens, though born out of the United 
States, if minors and dwelling within the United States at the 
time of the naturalization of their parents, become citizens by 
such naturalization. This also includes children who were abroad 
at the time of the naturalization of their parents, provided they 
take up residence in the United States before they become twenty- 
one years of age. 

21. All children born out of the limits and jurisdiction of the 
United States, whose fathers were at the time of their birth 
citizens thereof, are citizens of the United States; but the rights 
of citizenship do not descend to children whose fathers never 
resided in the United States. 


85 


Expatriation of Citizens and Their Protection 
Abroad 

[Act of March 2, 1907.] 

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of 
the United States of America in Congress assembled, That the 
Secretary of State shall be authorized, in his discretion, to issue 
passports to persons not citizens of the United States as follows: 
Where any person has made a. declaration of intention to become 
such a citizen as provided by law and has resided in the United 
States for three years a passport may be issued to him entitling 
him to the protection of the Government in any foreign country: 
Provided, That such passport shall not be valid for more than 
six months and shall not be renewed, and that such passport shall 
not entitle the holder to the protection of this Government in the 
country of which he was a citizen prior to making such declara¬ 
tion of intention. 

Sec. 2. That any American citizen shall be deemed to have 
expatriated himself when he has been naturalized in any foreign 
state in conformity with its laws, or when he has taken an oath of 
allegiance to any foreign state. 

When any naturalized citizen shall have resided for two years 
in the foreign state from which he came, or for five years in any 
other foreign state it shall be presumed that he has ceased to be 
an American citizen, and the place of his general abode shall be 
deemed his place of residence during said years: Provided, 
however. That such presumption may be overcome on the pre¬ 
sentation of satisfactory evidence to a diplomatic or consular 

86 


officer of the United States, under such rules and regulations as 
the Department of State may prescribe: And provided also, 
That no American citizen shall be allowed to expatriate himself 
when this country is at war. 

Sec. 3. That any American woman who marries a foreigner 
shall take the nationality of her husband. At the termination 
of the marital relation she may resume her American citizenship, 
if abroad, by registering as an American citizen within one year 
with a consul of the United States, or by returning to reside in 
the United States, or if residing in the United States at the 
termination of the marital relation, by continuing to reside therein. 

Sec. 4. That any foreign woman who acquires American 
‘citizenship by marriage to an American shall be assumed to retain 
the same after the termination of the marital relation if she con¬ 
tinues to reside in the United States, unless she makes formal 
renunciation thereof before a court having jurisdiction to na¬ 
turalize aliens, or if she resides abroad she may retain her citizen¬ 
ship by registering as such before a United States consul within 
one year after the termination of such marital relation. 

Sec. 5. That a child born without the United States of alien 
parents shall be deemed a citizen of the United States by virtue 
of the naturalization of or resumption of American citizenship by 
the parent: Provided, That such naturalization or resumption 
takes place during the minority of such child: And provided 
further, That the citizenship of such minor child shall begin at 
the time such minor child begins to reside permanently in the 
United States. 

Sec. 6. That all children born outside the limits of the United 
States who are citizens thereof in accordance with the provisions 
of section nineteen hundred and ninety-three of the Revised 
Statutes of the United States and who continue to reside outside- 

87 


the United States shall, in order to receive the protection of this 
GovernmenCbe required upon reaching the age of eighteen years 
to record at an American consulate their intention to become 
residents and remain citizens of the United States and shall be 
further required to take the oath of allegiance to the United 
States upon attaining their majority. 

Sec. 7. That duplicates of any evidence, registration, or other 
acts required by this act shall be filed with the Department of 
State for record. (34 Stat. L., pt. 1, p. 1228.) 


88 


Rules Governing the Granting and Issuing of 
Passports in the United States 

1. Authority to Issue. —Section 4075 of the Revised Stat¬ 
utes OF THE United States, as amended by the Act of Con¬ 
gress approved June 14, 1902, provides that the “ Secretary of 
State may grant and issue passports, and cause passports to be 
granted, issued, and verified in foreign countries by such diplo¬ 
matic or consular officers of the United States, and by such chief 
or other executive officer of the insular possessions of the United 
States, and under such rules as the President shall designate and 
prescribe for and on behalf of the United States.” The following 
rules are accordingly prescribed for the granting and issuing of 
passports in the United States. 

2. By Whom Issued and Refusal to Issue. —No one but 
the Secretary of State may grant and issue passports in the 
United States (Revised Statutes, Sections 4075, 4078) and he is 
empowered to refuse them in his discretion. 

Passports are not issued by American Diplomatic and consular 
officers abroad, except in cases of emergency; and a citizen who 
is abroad and desires to procure a passport must apply therefor 
through the nearest diplomatic or consular officer to the Secretary 
of State. 

Applications for passports by persons in Porto Rico or the 
Philippines should be made to the Chief Executives of those 
Islands. The evidence required of such applicants is similar 
to that required of applicants in the United States. 

3 Pee_—B y Act of Congress approved March 23, 1888, a fee 

89 


of one dollar is required to be collected for every citizen^s pass¬ 
port. That amount in currency or postal money order should 
accompany each application made by a citizen of the United 
States. Orders should be made payable to the Disbursing Clerk 
of the Department of State. Drafts or checks will not be 
accepted. 

4. Applications.—A person who is entitled to receive a pass¬ 
port, if within the United States, must submit a written applica¬ 
tion, in the form of an affidavit, to the Secretary of State. The 
application should be made by the person to whom the passport 
is to be issued and signed by him, as it is not proper for one 
person to apply for another. 

The affidazht must he made before a clerk of a Federal or 
State Court within the jurisdiction of which the applicant or 
his witness resides, and the seal of the court must be affixed. 

If the applicant signs by mark, two attesting witnesses to his 
signature are required. The applicant is required to state the 
date and place of his birth, his occupation, the place of his per¬ 
manent residence, and within what length of time he will return 
to the United States with the purpose of residing and performing 
the duties of citizenship. He is also required to state the names 
of the foreign countries zohich he expects to visit, and the objects 
of his visits thereto. The latter statement should be brief and 
general in form\, thus: '‘commercial business”; (^) “to attend to 
the settlement of an estate”; “to bring wife and children to this 
country.” 

The applicant must take the oath of allegiance to the United 
States. 

The application must be accompanied by a description of the 
person applying, and should state the following particulars, viz: 
Age,-; stature, -, feet- inches (English meas- 

^ An applicant who states that he is going abroad on commercial business must 
submit with his application a letter from the head of the concern which he represents. 

90 





ure); forehead, -; eyes, -; nose, -; mouth, 

-; chin,-; hair, -; complexion, -; face, 

-; special identifying marks, if any (scars, birthmarks, 

etc.) 

The application must also be accompanied by duplicate photo¬ 
graphs of the applicant, on thin paper, unmounted, and not 
larger in size than three by three inches. One must be attached 
to the back of the application by the clerk of court before zv^hom 
it is made, zvith an impression of the seal of the court so placed 
as to cover part of the photograph but not the features, and the 
other sent loose, to be attached to the passport by the Depart¬ 
ment.Photographs on cardboard or postcards zvill not be 
accepted. 

The application must be supported by an affidavit from at least 
one credible zvitness that the applicant is the person he represents 
himself to be, and that the facts stated in the application are true 
to the best of the zvitness' knozjeledge and belief. This affidazAt 
must be made before the clerk of court before zvhom the applica¬ 
tion is executed and the zvitness must be an American citizen, who 
resides zvithin the jurisdiction of the court. The applicant or 
his zvitness must be known to the clerk of court before whom the 
application is executed, or must be able to satisfy such officer as 
to his identity and the bona fides of the application. 

5. Native Citizens. —An application containing the informa¬ 
tion indicated by rule 4 will be sufficient evidence in the case 
of a native citizen; except that a person born in the United 
States in a place zvhere births are recorded zvill be expected to 
submit a birth certificate zinth his application. 

A person of the Chinese race, alleging birth in the United 

1 The loose photograph must be signed across its face by the applicant, and the 
signature thereon must correspond to the applicant’s signature affixed to the appli¬ 
cation. 


91 










States, must obtain from the Commissioner of Immigration or 
Chinese Inspector in Charge at the port through which he pro¬ 
poses to leave the country a certificate upon his application, under 
the seal of such officer, showing that there has been granted to 
him by the latter a return certificate in accordance with rule 16 
of the Chinese Regulations of the Department of Labor. For 
this purpose special blank forms of application for passports are 
provided. 

Passports issued by the Department of State or its diplomatic 
or consular representatives are intended for identification and 
protection in foreign countries, and not to facilitate entry into 
the United States, immigration being under the supervision of 
the Department of Labor. 

6. A Person Born Abroad, Whose Father Was A Native 
Citizen of the United States. —In addition to the statements 
required by rule 4, his applicalion must show that his father was 
born in the United States, resided therein, and was a citizen 
at the time of the applicant’s birth. The Department may re¬ 
quire that this afifidavit be supported by that of one other citizen 
acquainted with the facts. 

7. Naturalized Citizens. —In addition to the statements 
required by rule 4, a naturalized citizen must transmit his certi¬ 
ficate of naturalization, or a duly certified copy of the court 
record thereof, with his application. It will be returned to him 
after inspection. He must state in his affidavit when and from 
what port he emigrated to this country, what ship he sailed on, 
where he has lived since his arrival in the United States, when 
and before what court he was naturalized, and that he is the 
identical person described in the certificate of naturalization. 
The signature to the application should conform in orthography 
to the applicant’s name as written in his certificate of naturaliza¬ 
tion, or an explanation of the difference should be submitted. 

9 ^ 


8. WoMAN^s Application. —If she is unmarried, in addition 
to the statements required by rule 4, she should state that she 
has never been married. If she is the wife or widow of a native 
citizen of the United States the fact should be made to appear in 
her application, which should be made according to the form pre¬ 
scribed for a native citizen, whether she was born in this country 
or abroad. If she is the wife or widow of a naturalized citizen, 
in addition to the statements required by rule 4, she must trans¬ 
mit for inspection her husband’s certificate of naturalization or 
a certified copy of the court record thereof, must state that she 
is the wife (or widow) of the person described therein, and must 
set forth the facts of his birth, emigration, naturalization, and 
residence, as required in the rules governing the application of a 
naturalized citizen. She should sign her own Christian name 
with the family name of her husband: (Thus, Mary Doe; not 
Mrs. John Doe.) 

A married woman’s citizenship follows that of her husband. 
It is essential, therefore, that a woman’s marital relations be 
indicated in her application for a passport, and that in the case 
of a married woman her husband’s citizenship be established. 

9. The Child of a Naturalized Citizen Claiming Citi¬ 
zenship Through the Naturalization of the Parent.— In 
addition to the statements required by rule 4, the applicant must 
state that he or she is the son or daughter, as the case may be, 
of the person described in the certificate of naturalization, which 
must be submitted for inspection, and must set forth the facts of 
.emigration, naturalization and residence, as required in the rules 
governing the application of a naturalized citizen. 

10. A Resident of an InsulAr Possession of the United 
States, Who Owes Allegiance to the United States.— In 
addition to the statements required by rule 4, he must state that 
he owes allegiance to the United States, and that he does not 

93 


acknowledge allegiance to any other government, and must sub¬ 
mit affidavits from at least two credible witnesses having good 
means of knowledge in substantiation of his statements of birth, 
residence and loyalty. No fee is required for the issuance by 
the Department of an insular passport. 

11. Expiration and Renewal of Passport. —A passport ex¬ 
pires six months from the date of its issuance. A new one will 
be issued upon a new application, accompanied by the old pass¬ 
port, and, if the applicant be a naturalized citizen, the old pass¬ 
port will be accepted in lieu of a certificate of naturalization, if 
the application upon which it was issued is found to contain 
sufficient information as to the naturalization of the applicant. 
Passports are not renewed by the Department, but a person 
abroad holding a passport issued by the Department may have it 
renewed for a period of six months upon presenting it to a diplo¬ 
matic or principal consular officer of the United States, when 
it is about to expire, with a sworn statement of the names of 
the countries which he expects to visit and the objects of his 
visits thereto. No passport shall be renewed more than twice. 

12. Wife, Minor Children, and Servants. —When the ap¬ 
plicant is accompanied by his wife, minor children, and maid¬ 
servant, who is a citizen of the United States, it will be sufficient 
to'state the fact, giving their names in full, the dates and places 
of their birthand the allegiance of the servant, when one pass¬ 
port will suffice for all. For a man-servant or any other person 
in the party a separate passport will be required. A woman’s 
passport may include her minor children and maid-servant under 
the above-named conditions. 

(The term “maid-servant” does not include a governess, tutor, 
pupil, companion, or person holding like relation to the applicant 
for a passport.) 

13. Titles. —Professional and other titles will not be inserted 
in passports. 


94 


14. Blank Forms of Application. —They will be furnished 
by the Department free of charge to persons who desire to apply 
for passports. Supplies of blank applications are also furnished 
by the Department to clerks of courts. 

15. Address. —Communications should be addressed to the 
Department of State, Bureau of Citizenship, and each communi¬ 
cation should give the post-office address of the person to whom 
the answer is to be directed. 

16. Additional Regulation. —The Secretary of State is au¬ 
thorized to make regulations on the subject of issuing and grant¬ 
ing passports additional to these rules and not inconsistent with 
them. 

To become effective February 1, 1915. 

WOODROW WILSON. 

The White House, 

12 January, 1915. 


95 



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